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The Conflict over the French 'First-Job Contract'

By Douglas Webber,  Claudia Gehlen
Published 18 Jun 2007
Reference 5443
Topic Economics & Finance
Region Europe
Length 28 page(s)
Inspection copy
6.00
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Summary

This case portrays the conflict that developed in France in spring 2006 after the moderate right Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin announced a proposal to make it easier for firms to fire young employees during the first two years after their recruitment and ended in the proposal being abandoned.

Teaching objectives

The case is designed to facilitate an analysis of patterns of government-interest group relations in France and the obstacles facing governments that try to reform the French welfare state and liberalize labour market law.

Keywords
  • France
  • Dominique de Villepin
  • student movement
  • trade unions
  • labour market
  • youth unemployment
  • protests
  • Nicolas Sarkozy
  • European Competitiveness
  • Europe
About the authors
Webber

Douglas Webber

Emeritus Professor of Political Science
Gehlen

Claudia  Gehlen


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