French business leaders protest over rules and taxes
French employers groups are marching in Paris and Toulouse today to protest against 30 years of policies, under both left and right wing governments, which they maintain have stifled the economy.
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The three main organisations representing employers of large and smaller companies, as well as artisans, are all involved.
“We are strangled by charges,” Pierre Gattaz of the Employers’ Federation told French radio station Europe 1.
The organisations cite three regulations which they say cause particular problems for employers: the right to retire early for workers in some sectors, a ban on employing anyone for less than 24 hours per week and the obligation to inform workers of any buyout or merger.
French employers frequently complain that their politicians have virtually no experience of working in private enterprises and therefore little understanding of the business world.
The Socialist party has often seemed openly hostile to the private sector and entrepreneurs.
Since January of this year, President Hollande has tried harder to address the concerns of the business community but he is hamstrung by division within his Socialist party over the issue.
Hollande is trying to push forward his so-called Responsibility Pact, a deal under which employers would be relieved of paying some employees’ taxes in return for creating jobs.
Employers point out, however, that they can only create jobs if they have full order books.
Many employers say that the previous government under Nicolas Sarkozy of the right wing UMP party, also did little to help nurture businesses.
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