“The scenes of guerrilla-type action in central Paris, beamed around the world, reinforce the feeling of fear and misunderstanding from visitors in an already angst-filled climate”, Frederic Valletoux, head of the Paris region tourist board said in a statement on Monday.
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France’s Socialist President, Francois Hollande, insists it will not be withdrawn despite months of unrest which erupted into street clashes between protesters and police at marches last Thursday.
French TGV trains (high speed train) are parked at a SNCF depot station in Charenton-le-Pont near Paris, France, May 31, 2016 as railway workers from the France’s rail-operator SNCF will start a national railway strike on Tuesday evening. Air controllers are also planning stoppages from Friday.
Signs emerged in recent days that both sides might be ready for compromise, after Prime Minister Manuel Valls spoke with the head of the CGT union, whose hard-left flank is leading the protest movement.
The hardline CGT union has organized street protests, train strikes and refinery blockades to pressure the government to scrap reform plans.
The bill was the focus of violent demonstrations across France last week.
Hollande also hinted in an interview with Sud-Ouest newspaper he would announce a softening of cuts in state financing for local authorities when he addresses a congress of mayors this week.
The nationwide strike will see all kinds of rail services cancelled and disrupted across France on Wednesday.
Companies would also be able to negotiate terms and conditions with their workers rather than be bound by industry-wide agreements.
A spokesman for Hollande’s Socialist party accused the powerful CGT union of embarrassing the country.
Unions are also furious that the government rammed the reforms through the lower house of parliament without a vote. “Our country has a real tradition of hospitality”, Ayrault said, when asked about possible disruption to the Euro tournament.
The next national day of action by trade unionists is due on 14 June, when the labour reform goes to the Senate. Citizens’ support for the unions is at 46 percent, a poll published Sunday in the Journal du Dimanche indicated.
Unemployment across France is stuck at 10 per cent, and President Hollande hopes the changes will incentivise more firms to recruit employees.
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“We face problems and we must do everything to resolve them. Through dialogue we will find the solution, which will (restore) calm”, he said.
