Demonstrations in France against labour law escalate with clashes (video)

New law provides overtime without pay

Thousands of French protesters have taken to the streets demonstrating against a labour law that would see the 8-hour work day extended by 4 hours without pay. The socialist government of Francois Hollande is facing the outrage of workers who have vowed to block the ‘El Khomri’ law, as it has become know from Labour Minister Myriam El Khomri. Violent clashes between French police forces and university students joined by thousands of employees in the demonstrations in central Paris and other French cities are a common scene. Thursday saw more clashes as the French parliament was debating the law. In the city of Nantes riot police face off against protesters marching against the law. French unions claim that the new law would usher in a medieval era of labour relations in the market, jeopardising labour stability and security. One of the provisions of the new law is that employers would cover overtime payment to workers with days-off. The anti-law movement has gained traction among the youth and is expected to strengthen reports French newspaper ‘Liberation’.