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Labor Market Reforms in France and the Job Law 'CPE' - A Lost Opportunity
Introduction Contd...
The French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin (Villepin) supported by Chirac, had argued that the CPE would enable young people to find jobs more easily, and, at the same time, make it easier for the employers to dismiss them if they were found unsuitable..... After scrapping of the CPE, students and labor union leaders declared victory and thousands of opponents of the CPE held victory marches all over France. In contrast to the jubilant atmosphere among the protestors, there was despair among business entrepreneurs. Laurence Parisot, the President of 'Medef'6 said that the withdrawal of the CPE had shaken business confidence.... |
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Background Note
The welfare state8 in Europe has developed and evolved over several decades. It could be traced back to the introduction of social insurance programs in Germany in the late 19th century. Otto von Bismarck9 introduced health insurance for workers in 1883. This was followed by accident insurance in 1884, while old age pensions and disability insurance were introduced in 1889. Later, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the development of trade unions and leftist movements in Europe strengthened the bargaining power of workers in dealing with managements.....
