2006年VOA标准英语-France Hit Hard by Anti-Jobs Law Protests

By Lisa Bryant
Paris
28 March 2006
 
Hundreds of thousands of French poured into the streets Tuesday, in the latest, and largest, demonstration¹ against an unpopular new employment law. The protests included a national strike that disrupted transportation and other services around the country.

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Demonstrator shouts slogans during protest against job contract, known as CPE, March 28, 2006 in Paris    
  

Chanting slogans and waving banners against the new hiring law, tens of thousands of demonstrators marched through the Paris streets Tuesday, ending up at the Place de la Republic in the northern part of the city. Similar marches were held in towns and cities across France. Striking workers disrupted public transportation, rail and airline services around the country. Teachers, postal² workers and private sector³ employees also joined the walkout.

Those protesting the jobs law included Artur Cosnefoy, a 17-year-old high school student from the Paris suburb of Nanterre.

"The jobs law, known here as the first employment contract, is bad for French society. You can see the malaise here," he said. "The law needs to be changed."

Passed earlier this month, the new legislation allows businesses to more easily hire, but also fire, young workers during the first two years of their employment. French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin, who spearheaded the legislation, argues it will help reduce high youth unemployment. But many youngsters say it will only increase job insecurity.

The protests have gone on for weeks at French universities and schools and are influencing the French population at large. A series of polls show most people oppose the jobs legislation in its current form. And at the Paris demonstration, parents like 40-year-old Hishem Larach said they did not want their children facing an uncertain future.

"Its not a question of unemployment. Businesses do not have confidence in our youngsters," he said. "The government should force them to give French youths greater internships and other opportunities."

Paris police use a water cannon⁴ on protesters demonstrating against job contract law, March 28, 2006  
  
The protests are the latest crisis to hit France's center-right government, still reeling over riots in the French suburbs in October and November. Some observers fear the anger over the law will ignite new violence in France. There were several clashes between youths and police on Tuesday.

Mr. de Villepin has watched his popularity tumble, and support for the legislation is unravelling⁵ even within his own cabinet. The French prime minister says he is willing to soften⁶ but not repeal⁷ the legislation. And on Tuesday, he renewed calls for dialogue with labor⁸ and student union leaders. But most have rejected his invitation to meet for new talks on Wednesday.

France's Constitutional Council is expected to rule Thursday on whether the new law is constitutional.

1 demonstration   

n.表明，示范，论证，示威

参考例句：

• His new book is a demonstration of his patriotism.他写的新书是他的爱国精神的证明。
• He gave a demonstration of the new technique then and there.他当场表演了这种新的操作方法。

2 postal   

adj.邮政的，邮局的

参考例句：

• A postal network now covers the whole country.邮路遍及全国。
• Remember to use postal code.勿忘使用邮政编码。

3 sector   

n.部门，部分；防御地段，防区；扇形

参考例句：

• The export sector will aid the economic recovery. 出口产业将促进经济复苏。
• The enemy have attacked the British sector.敌人已进攻英国防区。

4 cannon   

n.大炮，火炮；飞机上的机关炮

参考例句：

• The soldiers fired the cannon.士兵们开炮。
• The cannon thundered in the hills.大炮在山间轰鸣。

5 unravelling   

解开，拆散，散开( unravel的现在分词 )； 阐明； 澄清； 弄清楚

参考例句：

• Nail head clamp the unravelling of nail exteriorize broken nails and clean. 钉头卡钉，拆开钉头取出碎钉并清洁。
• The ends of ropes are in good condition and secured without unravelling. 缆绳端部状况良好及牢固，并无松散脱线。

6 soften   

v.(使)变柔软；(使)变柔和

参考例句：

• Plastics will soften when exposed to heat.塑料适当加热就可以软化。
• This special cream will help to soften up our skin.这种特殊的护肤霜有助于使皮肤变得柔软。

7 repeal   

n.废止，撤消；v.废止，撤消

参考例句：

• He plans to repeal a number of current policies.他计划废除一些当前的政策。
• He has made out a strong case for the repeal of the law.他提出强有力的理由，赞成废除该法令。

8 labor   

n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦

参考例句：

• We are never late in satisfying him for his labor.我们从不延误付给他劳动报酬。
• He was completely spent after two weeks of hard labor.艰苦劳动两周后，他已经疲惫不堪了。