johnnymk
06-16-2001, 02:11 PM
GOTAPEX will love this:
Layoffs: You Can't Fire Me
By Kristi Essick - Paris Bureau Chief
Issue Date: Jun 18 2001. The Industry Standard
The French have hit upon a novel way to prevent big corporate job cuts - they've made them illegal.
As the U.S. downturn – and its consequent layoffs, bankruptcies and pain – spreads to Europe, the French government has hit upon a novel way to prevent large-scale job cuts: Outlaw them.
Under the terms of legislation proposed last week, profitable companies would be restricted from using layoffs to cut costs. Instead, mediators would juggle the demands of employers and employees during large-scale restructuring.
Unemployment in France has fallen from more than 13 percent two years ago to 8.7 percent in April. But the number of available jobs has shrunk in recent months; with companies such as Alcatel, Ericsson, Philips and Vivendi Universal restructuring, thousands more could be out of work soon.
These companies are experienced with France's tough labor laws. Vivendi Universal, for instance, says few French staffers would lose their jobs even if it sells divisions in France following the acquisition of U.S. publisher Houghton Mifflin.
Squeezed startups, though, are less versed in the nuances of French labor code - which could soon make quick cost-cutting rather tricky.
The proposed law would add more weight to France's already labor-friendly laws. Employees often receive up to six months' salary in severance, for instance. The new legislation demonstrates how seriously the government is taking the threat of a continued economic downturn.
Of course, having to work with a resurgent Communist Party and Europe's most formidable labor unions might also have something to do with it.
Layoffs: You Can't Fire Me
By Kristi Essick - Paris Bureau Chief
Issue Date: Jun 18 2001. The Industry Standard
The French have hit upon a novel way to prevent big corporate job cuts - they've made them illegal.
As the U.S. downturn – and its consequent layoffs, bankruptcies and pain – spreads to Europe, the French government has hit upon a novel way to prevent large-scale job cuts: Outlaw them.
Under the terms of legislation proposed last week, profitable companies would be restricted from using layoffs to cut costs. Instead, mediators would juggle the demands of employers and employees during large-scale restructuring.
Unemployment in France has fallen from more than 13 percent two years ago to 8.7 percent in April. But the number of available jobs has shrunk in recent months; with companies such as Alcatel, Ericsson, Philips and Vivendi Universal restructuring, thousands more could be out of work soon.
These companies are experienced with France's tough labor laws. Vivendi Universal, for instance, says few French staffers would lose their jobs even if it sells divisions in France following the acquisition of U.S. publisher Houghton Mifflin.
Squeezed startups, though, are less versed in the nuances of French labor code - which could soon make quick cost-cutting rather tricky.
The proposed law would add more weight to France's already labor-friendly laws. Employees often receive up to six months' salary in severance, for instance. The new legislation demonstrates how seriously the government is taking the threat of a continued economic downturn.
Of course, having to work with a resurgent Communist Party and Europe's most formidable labor unions might also have something to do with it.