Against the backdrop of Euro 2016, nationwide strikes are washing over France as workers protest labor market reforms making it easier to hire and fire employees. Even the Eiffel Tower was closed because of the walkouts, DW reported. In essence, the issue is about a proposed law, that labor minister Myriam El Khomri drove forward for Prime Minister Manuel Valls’ government. The idea was that more flexibility in labor law would help reduce the unemployment rate of currently 10%, which more than doubles to 24% for young people. Because no majority was found for the bill—not even among the prime minister’s fellow Socialists—the government forced it through parliament without a vote.
