Me.....in the Caribbean on Grace Bay beach, Providenciales, TC.
Sunday, April 30, 2006
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
Protests in France
Many of you have asked me about the protests/riots in France. There were about 1 million protesters here in Paris today. And, there was a photo of a sign that a student was carrying in Le Figaro.......a French newspaper......that said, "We are not trouble makers, we are just the future unemployed".
My friend Matt and I have been discussing it via email, and this is what I have written to him.
So, France has a really high unemployment rate.......about 9% (I think). However, in under 26 yos, unemployment is as high as 20%. The French gov has so many employment laws that make it difficult and costly to terminate or layoff. So, employers avoid young, unexperienced workers. Discrimination is high in France, if you are too young, too old, strange last name, look funny, etc, etc.
Well, the gov is trying to pass this law that is called CPE. It gives employers the right to hire under 26yos for 2 years, then terminate them without any repercussions and without a reason. The gov thinks this will increase the employment rate because it gives employers the opp to try out an unexperienced worker, where as many believe this just gives employers another short term contract situation to take advantage of. I see it both ways.
(I was actually at a meeting last week at the unemployment office all about how to create a business in France. The discussion quickly became political. It was pointed out that the system of employment works better in the US, UK, and Denmark, where you can quickly get a job if you work hard; no matter what age, what ethnicity.)
Anyway, on Saturday (March 18), there were a few peaceful demonstrations throughout Paris. However, at about 6pm, violence broke out.......near Nation and near La Sorbonne (one of Paris' elite schools that is in the 5th (near Jardin Luxembourg and the Pantheon)....the Latin Quarter. Anyway, it was instigated mostly by young, frustrated people (a spin off of last years riots that were fuelled by young, frustrated immigrants (1st gen French from immigrant parents)).
So, at Nation (near my house), there was a police blockade.........lots of things thrown at the police, tear gas, burnt cars, etc, etc. Typical riot activities.
For the last few weeks, students and teachers have walked out of schools......high schools and universities, to protest this law. The French people value their right of free speech and love to have a cause to fight for. Vive la Revolution!!! So, there are strikes, walk outs, blockades, riots and all sorts of craziness happening in Paris right now.
Matt then responded with the fact that as an American he knows that he could lose his job tomorrow. So, he works hard and tries not to take the job for granted. Most employers in the US are "at will".
This is my reponse......
I agree with many of the things you say, however, I think you need to keep a few things in mind. The average French person pays more in taxes than the average American. When I say taxes, I am including Social Security, unemployment insurance, etc, etc. The average company also pays more towards social benefits.
In the US, if a company has a standard to good benefit plan.....the cost is about $8K on top of salary. This number does not include stock options, car allowances, etc. This is basic medical, dental, vacation, 401K, pension, etc. In France, the cost is 50% on top of salary. This is part of the reason salaries tend to be lower in France. Many employers provide transportation benefits, lunch tickets (or a cafe with reduced prices), etc. But, they are also paying into the social system. So, employees and employers pay more.......what they expect is a certain degree of security. This is the main frustration with many French.
We also need to keep in mind that many French people grew up in this society where they expect to have a job (about 30%+ of the workforce is in the public sector), their parents had and have the same jobs that they have had forever. Job security is a huge part of being French. So, this CPE that the gov is suggesting goes against the ideals of job security.
In France, there is already a law that states an employer can have a contract employee for under 18 months, then terminate. But, 18 months is the max. I think young people are looking at this new CPE law as being the same exact thing, just 6 months longer.
As an American, I have never expected to always have the same job. I actually think it looks bad on your resume when you have been in the same position too long. The limit is 3 years. If your company is promoting you, that is one thing.......but same position for more than 3 years, you need to take control of your career. But French are much more into security. They all thought I was crazy to move to France on a 6 month contract.
I agree that you need to work hard in order to gain things in life. Nothing should be handed to us. There are many French who get a job, then never do anymore work because they know that they are good for life. I think this happens in the US as well.......but at the Admin or service level. I think as a professional, the expectation is that you need to work hard, advance fast, stay on your toes. But, this was also a reason why I hated the US.....I hated the rat race.....I hated feeling like I was being judged for how busy I was.
Today there is a huge manifestation (is that an English word??)/demonstration. The CPE law went into effect on Sunday. I think there may be some drama tonight......many are expecting it. Within the last few hours, I was at Place d'Italie in the 13th arrondisement......near Chinatown. When I arrived there at about 1pm, they were prepping for a huge protest. I wish I had my camera with me. I saw a huge line of police vans.......about 15 parked in a row, all with lights on, ready to go. When I went back to catch the metro 2 hours later, there were about 10 police in riot gear just near the metro entrance. I think I left the area just in time as there was a huge group of students leaving the metro and chanting protest slogans. I think I will stay at home tonight.....sorry I can't get photos for you.
Kareen
My friend Matt and I have been discussing it via email, and this is what I have written to him.
So, France has a really high unemployment rate.......about 9% (I think). However, in under 26 yos, unemployment is as high as 20%. The French gov has so many employment laws that make it difficult and costly to terminate or layoff. So, employers avoid young, unexperienced workers. Discrimination is high in France, if you are too young, too old, strange last name, look funny, etc, etc.
Well, the gov is trying to pass this law that is called CPE. It gives employers the right to hire under 26yos for 2 years, then terminate them without any repercussions and without a reason. The gov thinks this will increase the employment rate because it gives employers the opp to try out an unexperienced worker, where as many believe this just gives employers another short term contract situation to take advantage of. I see it both ways.
(I was actually at a meeting last week at the unemployment office all about how to create a business in France. The discussion quickly became political. It was pointed out that the system of employment works better in the US, UK, and Denmark, where you can quickly get a job if you work hard; no matter what age, what ethnicity.)
Anyway, on Saturday (March 18), there were a few peaceful demonstrations throughout Paris. However, at about 6pm, violence broke out.......near Nation and near La Sorbonne (one of Paris' elite schools that is in the 5th (near Jardin Luxembourg and the Pantheon)....the Latin Quarter. Anyway, it was instigated mostly by young, frustrated people (a spin off of last years riots that were fuelled by young, frustrated immigrants (1st gen French from immigrant parents)).
So, at Nation (near my house), there was a police blockade.........lots of things thrown at the police, tear gas, burnt cars, etc, etc. Typical riot activities.
For the last few weeks, students and teachers have walked out of schools......high schools and universities, to protest this law. The French people value their right of free speech and love to have a cause to fight for. Vive la Revolution!!! So, there are strikes, walk outs, blockades, riots and all sorts of craziness happening in Paris right now.
Matt then responded with the fact that as an American he knows that he could lose his job tomorrow. So, he works hard and tries not to take the job for granted. Most employers in the US are "at will".
This is my reponse......
I agree with many of the things you say, however, I think you need to keep a few things in mind. The average French person pays more in taxes than the average American. When I say taxes, I am including Social Security, unemployment insurance, etc, etc. The average company also pays more towards social benefits.
In the US, if a company has a standard to good benefit plan.....the cost is about $8K on top of salary. This number does not include stock options, car allowances, etc. This is basic medical, dental, vacation, 401K, pension, etc. In France, the cost is 50% on top of salary. This is part of the reason salaries tend to be lower in France. Many employers provide transportation benefits, lunch tickets (or a cafe with reduced prices), etc. But, they are also paying into the social system. So, employees and employers pay more.......what they expect is a certain degree of security. This is the main frustration with many French.
We also need to keep in mind that many French people grew up in this society where they expect to have a job (about 30%+ of the workforce is in the public sector), their parents had and have the same jobs that they have had forever. Job security is a huge part of being French. So, this CPE that the gov is suggesting goes against the ideals of job security.
In France, there is already a law that states an employer can have a contract employee for under 18 months, then terminate. But, 18 months is the max. I think young people are looking at this new CPE law as being the same exact thing, just 6 months longer.
As an American, I have never expected to always have the same job. I actually think it looks bad on your resume when you have been in the same position too long. The limit is 3 years. If your company is promoting you, that is one thing.......but same position for more than 3 years, you need to take control of your career. But French are much more into security. They all thought I was crazy to move to France on a 6 month contract.
I agree that you need to work hard in order to gain things in life. Nothing should be handed to us. There are many French who get a job, then never do anymore work because they know that they are good for life. I think this happens in the US as well.......but at the Admin or service level. I think as a professional, the expectation is that you need to work hard, advance fast, stay on your toes. But, this was also a reason why I hated the US.....I hated the rat race.....I hated feeling like I was being judged for how busy I was.
Today there is a huge manifestation (is that an English word??)/demonstration. The CPE law went into effect on Sunday. I think there may be some drama tonight......many are expecting it. Within the last few hours, I was at Place d'Italie in the 13th arrondisement......near Chinatown. When I arrived there at about 1pm, they were prepping for a huge protest. I wish I had my camera with me. I saw a huge line of police vans.......about 15 parked in a row, all with lights on, ready to go. When I went back to catch the metro 2 hours later, there were about 10 police in riot gear just near the metro entrance. I think I left the area just in time as there was a huge group of students leaving the metro and chanting protest slogans. I think I will stay at home tonight.....sorry I can't get photos for you.
Kareen
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