NationStates Jolt Archive


France and the 35H - Social regression?

Psylos
09-02-2005, 10:25
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4248845.stm

What do you think?
Should France go for social regression against the will of its population in order to please the share holders at the expense of the workers?
Or should France keep its progressive working limit of 35H/week that most french people are happy with?
Pythagosaurus
09-02-2005, 10:30
I don't live in France, but in my experience, most people with hourly wages don't mind being able to work more.
Armed Bookworms
09-02-2005, 10:32
The proper question is, do the French want their economy to remain shitty?
Kanabia
09-02-2005, 10:32
Only 35 hours in a week? Wow.

Our work-days are often up to 9 hours long, which I think is a bit much.

I think a 40 hour work week is sufficient and fair. But if France can make 35 hours work, good luck to them...and how do I get citizenship? Haha :)
Kanabia
09-02-2005, 10:35
The proper question is, do the French want their economy to remain shitty?

The French GDP per capita, by US measurements, is $27,600. I don't think cost of living is factored into that either.

By world standards, that is certainly *not* shitty.
Concordiania
09-02-2005, 11:00
I think long working hours are counterproductive and decrease the quality of life. I'm sorry I cant quote some study to support this. It's just how I feel about my job.

I'd like to see 35h introduced in the UK. Apparently we work some of the longest hours in europe. Dont think our productivity or quality is better for it.
Psylos
09-02-2005, 11:06
I love the argument of the government which says they want longer working hours in order to decrease unemployment. Aren't they funny?
Psylos
09-02-2005, 11:07
I don't live in France, but in my experience, most people with hourly wages don't mind being able to work more.
69% of the french workers are happy with the 35H and want to keep it if you are looking for the opinion of the french people. In NS, it is 87.5% :-)
Psylos
09-02-2005, 11:14
The proper question is, do the French want their economy to remain shitty?
Well as far as I know, they want a strong economy based on strong supply and strong demand. They want a strong productivity and they think 2 people working 35 hours are more productive than one working 70H.
France's economy is mainly tourism, food and machinery+energy.
Volvo Villa Vovve
09-02-2005, 11:17
Yep and it is almost 80 years sens the last workers victory atleast here in Sweden then we got the 40 H week. So I think France is a good step in the right direction ecpeially it's a lot of bad example in the other direction like some people in EU that want to "freely" increase the workweek.