Apr 10th, 2006 · French President Jacques Chirac bows to weeks of protests and annouces plans to replace a controversial youth labor law. The decision is a blow to Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin, who had steadfastly backed the law as a way to reduce the high unemployment rate for young people. Eleanor Beardsley reports from Paris.
Mar 28th, 2006 · Tens of thousands take to the streets in France to protest a new youth-jobs law. Public-transport workers and teachers stage a strike to try to force Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin to abandon the law. Union and student leaders say the law will create a generation of "throwaway workers."
Mar 28th, 2006 · French trade unions sponsor a one-day national strike to try and force Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin to abandon a new jobs law that makes it easier to fire younger workers. Commuters faced delays because of the strike. Renee Montagne talks to reporter Eleanor Beardsley in Paris.