France's Sarkozy meets unions on labour reforms

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

PARIS, May 14 (Reuters) French President-elect Nicolas Sarkozy discussed labour reforms with union and business bosses today, showing his determination to act quickly on his election pledges even before taking office.

Sarkozy will be sworn in as president on Wednesday after winning the May 6 election with a promise to shake up France's hidebound economy, notably by curbing strikes in public sector monopolies and reforming restrictive labour laws.

Commentators said the talks reflected his hands-on style and a desire to reach out to unions largely opposed to his reforms.

Unions have warned of protests if the right-winger tries to railroad through changes, one saying his comprehensive victory did not give him the right to act unilaterally.

Sarkozy has said he will allow France's ''social partners'' -- unions and business leaders -- to negotiate the details of many accords as long as they meet his goals in a realistic timeframe.

Francois Chereque, leader of the moderate CFDT union, urged the new president to consult management and labour representatives first, rather than charge ahead with new laws.

''Taking decisions all on your own leads to more trouble than the reforms,'' Chereque told RTL radio, pointing to last year's botched youth labour bill, which forced the conservative government into a humiliating climbdown.

''We don't expect the president to give up his proposals, but rather, as he himself pledged during the election campaign, that he give negotiations a chance,'' Chereque said.

If we can reach the same goals via negotiation, he should let us do so.'' Sarkozy was later due to meet the head of the Medef business leaders' group, Laurence Parisot, followed by Bernard Thibault, the head of the powerful CGT union that has been one of the most vocal critics of Sarkozy's labour plans.

''SPEEDY SARKO'' The business daily Les Echos said today's meetings were ''incredibly rare for a president and totally unprecedented for a president before taking office.'' ''The signal that he is 'listening' is important for the president-elect, who is seeking to balance his desire to act quickly and lead from the front ... with respect for social dialogue that he promised during the election campaign.'' An early test will come when Sarkozy pushes his plan for minimum service during transport strikes. Unions say the plan to ensure three hours of service during the morning and evening rush hours will not work and some economists doubt the practical benefits.

Students have already protested against plans to grant more financial autonomy to universities and allow more selection in admissions, but there is likely to be more serious opposition from organised labour.

Chereque said Sarkozy would meet unions again in around 10 days to discuss the agenda for ''social conferences'' to be held in the autumn on the themes of the single labour contract, male-female wage parity, working conditions and union representation.

After a much-criticised two-day break on a millionaire businessman's luxury yacht, the incoming head of state has lived up to his ''Speedy Sarko'' reputation, discussing forthcoming international summits with British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

He spent the weekend in a former royal hunting lodge, drafting a broad-based cabinet team with senior aides and planning a streamlined government of 15 large ministries.

REUTERS AB KN1721

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