The French National Assembly has passed a ruling to amend the terms of contract for the First Job Contract. The new ruling, which enables employers to take on more young people with less risk, is part of a plan to encourage more employment.

9 February 2006

AMSTERDAM - The French National Assembly, backed by Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin, has passed a ruling to amend the terms of contract for workers under the age of 26 known as the First Job Contract (CPE).
 
Companies in France will now be able to engage young workers and still be able to dismiss them without reason on 15 days notice after two years work.
 
The previous law ruled that after a probationary period of two years, employers still had to justify any dismissal.
 
"This is a specific extension to focus attention for job flexibility on young workers," said Secretary General of the Federation of European Employers Robin Chater.  
 
The recent riots in France exposed the plight of an underclass of 'blasé' unskilled young people who didn't have the opportunity of finding work on the original system in France, which doesn't give flexible contracts a chance, Chater explained.
 
The facility to encourage employers to take on more young people with less risk is part of a plan to encourage more employment. 
 
"A mobile society where people move around is advantageous to the economy," said Chater. "France encourages job-for-life mentality. The French see that facilitating a mobile workforce is also an advantage which employers could exploit too."
 
The problem according to Chater is that many unskilled younger workers have no permanent work experience. The amendment will encourage employers to take on  young workers who need experience to get on.  
 
Students however see it as a form of exploitation. They want a job for life. 
 
 [Copyright Expatica 2006]