The French miracle: a shorter week, more jobs and men doing the ironing

Article Abstract:

France's embedded social patterns are changing significantly as a result of the introduction of a 35-hour working week. More jobs have been created, and the competitiveness of French firms has not been negatively affected.

Personnel administration, Financial analysis, Work Rules NEC, Brief Article, Work rules

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Kafkaesque world of a French social experiment

Article Abstract:

The French government has seen mixed results from the first, voluntary, phase of its planned mandatory reduction of working hours to 35 a week. This policy has had only very limited success so far in creating jobs, and the department headed by Employment Minister Martine Aubry has been forced to revise downwards its estimates for job creation after the reduced working week becomes compulsory at the end of 1999. However, companies have benefited from the fact that the new working hours regulations allow them to negotiate annual or monthly, rather than weekly, working patterns.

Government regulation (cont), Average Work Week, Laws, regulations and rules, Social policy, Manpower policy

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French farmers cause a stink over fast food

Article Abstract:

French farmers are protesting against the US and against French supermarkets. US companies such as McDonald's and Coca-Cola are targets, and the US has become vulnerable to the charge that it wants to promote industrial food through its actions in the dispute over beef treated with hormones. The US argues that the hormone-treated beef is safe, and the European Union has banned imports such beef, which they claim can damage health. The quality of the meat is also affected. The US has imposed high taxes on quality European food imports. Meanwhile, supermarkets are criticised for paying farmers little.

United States, Crop Production, European Union, Supermarkets and Other Grocery (except Convenience) Stores, Supermarkets, Fast Food Restaurants, Limited-Service Restaurants, Public affairs, Beef Cattle, Cattle Ranching and Farming, Farms, Agricultural industry, Political activity, International relations, Livestock industry, United States foreign relations, Public relations

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