16 November 2017•Update: 16 November 2017
By Hajer M'tiri
PARIS
Despite running out of steam, protests to denounce labor reforms signed into law last September continued Thursday with three of the country's leading workers' unions called for a strike, causing minor disruptions to transport network and airlines.
Several of France's unions including the largest Communist Party-linked CGT, FO and Solidaires have called for a day of mobilization to contest the government's "liberal reforms".
About 170 strikes and marches have been organized across the country.
A march in Paris is scheduled for 2 p.m. (1200GMT), but the number of protesters is not expected to be high.
French President Emmanuel Macron has signed in September into law five decrees of controversial reforms in a bid to modernize the country's 3,500-page labor code.
The law will take effect by Jan. 1 next year after other complementary decrees are signed before the end of 2017.
The package of reform contains 36 measures that give more flexibility to employers to set pay and working conditions; allow small businesses with less than 20 employees to negotiate directly with staff without union intervention; give greater freedom to companies to hire and fire; and limit payouts for unfair dismissals.
France has an unemployment rate of 9.5 percent, double that of the other big European economies such as Germany. Macron has vowed to cut it to 7 percent by 2022.
