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France labour reforms: Protests as government pushes through bill

Fierce protests have broken out across France after the government forced

through controversial labour reforms.

In Nantes, protesters clashed with security forces. In Paris police fired

rubber pellets on demonstrators outside the National Assembly.

Earlier, the cabinet approved using special powers to pass the changes without

parliamentary approval.

France's Socialist government says the reforms are essential to help cut high

levels of unemployment.

Two centre-right opposition parties have called a vote of no confidence in the

government to be held on Thursday.

The changes to the labour laws make it easier for employers to hire and fire

but opponents fear they will also enable employers to bypass workers' rights on

pay, overtime and breaks.

President Francois Hollande has faced months of resistance to the bill from

students, unions and even members of his own Socialist Party.

French labour reform bill - main points

The 35-hour week remains in place, but as an average. Firms can negotiate with

local trade unions on more or fewer hours from week to week, up to a maximum of

46 hours

Firms are given greater freedom to reduce pay

The law eases conditions for laying off workers, strongly regulated in France.

It is hoped companies will take on more people if they know they can shed jobs

in case of a downturn

Employers given more leeway to negotiate holidays and special leave, such as

maternity or for getting married. These are currently also heavily regulated

Busting the myth of France's 35-hour working week

Hundreds of demonstrators rallied outside the National Assembly on Tuesday,

calling for President Hollande to resign, with the protests continuing into the

night.

Police used tear gas against protesters in Grenoble and Montpellier, reports

from social media say. There were also demonstrations in Lille, Tours and

Marseille.

In Toulouse two young protesters were injured in clashes with police, according

to Le Parisien (in French).

The decision to invoke an article of the constitution to force through the

reforms was made after the government failed to reach a compromise on the bill

with a group of rebel Socialist MPs.

This tactic has only been used once before under President Hollande, again to

push though disputed economic reforms.

Prime Minister Manuel Valls was booed by MPs from the far left and the

conservative opposition when he announced the cabinet's decision to the

National Assembly.

"Pursuing the debate in parliament would pose the risk of... abandoning the

compromise that we have built," he said.

The only way the bill can now be stopped is by the motion of censure - a vote

of no confidence - that was filed by two right-wing parties on Tuesday.

Between them they have 226 of the 288 votes needed to topple the government on

Thursday.

However, correspondents say they are unlikely to find enough left-wing MPs

willing to support them.

Fresh protests are set to be held on Thursday to coincide with the confidence

vote.

Voices from the Paris protests

Nicholas: "The government is forcing through this law, so we decided to come

here. We are not stuck in one place, we are everywhere where it matters. We

want to show that people have a voice."

Anais, 31, student: "I'm here for real democracy. Without repression."

Benoit Coquin, 26: "I think that it's a law that's beginning to destroy the

structure of working rights."