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EMPLOYMENT

France vows to reform ‘unreadable’ labour laws

France will move to reform its notoriusly complex system of labour laws, the country's PM said on Wednesday, but not until 2016. There may be trouble ahead.

France vows to reform 'unreadable' labour laws
Will a reform of France's labour laws provoke protests? Photo: AFP

Prime Minister Manuel Valls said on Wednesday that lawmakers would vote next year on reforms to simplify France's “overly
complex” labour laws.

Speaking after the release of a report on possible reforms to the laws governing the labour market in the eurozone's second-biggest economy, Valls said the current code was “at times unreadable”.

The prime minister said however the proposed reforms would not affect the legal basis of France's 35-hour working week, which is regularly criticised by the centre-right opposition but cherished by the governing Socialists.

The reforms would give “more flexibility, but not less protection” to workers, Valls said.

He was speaking after the release of a report on possible reforms to the laws governing the labour market.

The move may not go down well with France's powerful labour unions, who have a history of calling strikes when any mention of labour reform is being discussed.

Some have predicted there may be some strife ahead.

Many analysts and economists have long believed France was in desperate need of reforming its labour laws in order to free up the jobs market.

But consecutive governments have been tentative to say the least.

In April this year, the economic think-tankOECD published a report in which it urged France to”simplify” life, and specificially pointed to the 3,000 page Code de Travail.

The OECD, who presented their report to France’s Finance Minister Michel Sapin, said the government really needs make reform of the labour market its top priority.

It criticised the “strong protection” afforded to those workers on long open-ended contracts which is “hindering mobility” and the country’s notorious 3,000- page long labour code which it says “restricts flexibility in both the private and public sectors”.

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EMPLOYMENT

Hear ye, here ye! This Swiss city is looking for a town crier

Can you carry a tune? Are you a night owl? If so, this job posting in Switzerland may be up right up your (cobblestone) alley. Here’s how you can submit an application for this… very high position.

Hear ye, here ye! This Swiss city is looking for a town crier
The hat and coat are optional for the job. Photo by Lausanne Tourisme

As far as unusual employment opportunities go, this one from Lausanne is — quite literally — tops.

The city, which employs one of Europe’s last remaining town criers, is looking for people to fill this position on part-time basis.

What’s a town crier?

In Lausanne’s case, it is a person who announces the hours every night between 10 pm and 2 am from the bell tower of the city’s imposing Gothic cathedral, a landmark overlooking the roofs of the picturesque Old Town.

The workplace: Lausanne Cathedral. Photo by Lausanne Tourisme

The person who will assume this position will continue a tradition that this city in the canton of Vaud has cherished since 1405.

These are the requirements for the job:

  • To watch over the city each night
  • Announce each hour on the hour between 10pm and 2am in a melodious voice (in French, but knowledge of foreign languages is a plus)
  • Be able to climb 53 stone steps to the cathedral’s bell tower
  • Not have a criminal record
  • No falling asleep on the job
  • Have a business apprenticeship certificate (we are not sure why)

This is 365-days-a-year job, but the new hire will share the position with other criers.

Interested? This is how you can apply.

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