Nationwide strikes in France against the "Loi Travail" labor laws "threaten to disrupt the smooth running of the Euro 2016 Championship this summer, particularly when it comes to travelling around the country," according to Samindra Kunti of INSIDE WORLD FOOTBALL. The French are protesting against President François Hollande's new labor law, "which will implement sweeping labour reforms." The "Loi Travail" liberalizes labor law. The reforms maintain the 35-hour week but "allow for flexible working hours." Companies can "negotiate with local trade unions on more or fewer hours from week to week, up to a maximum of 46 hours." This week nationwide strikes, mainly in both the public and transport sector, "will hit France." Students and other young segments of French society, "struggling with chronic unemployment, are expected to protest in huge numbers." The social tension may affect Euro 2016 as France "welcomes millions of football fans from across the continent." But, "for weeks on end, rail workers have been protesting about poor working conditions and demanding improved pay. "A spokesperson for rail union CGT said, “It [the strike] is unlimited and renewable, for 48 hours each week over Wednesdays and Thursday” (INSIDE WORLD FOOTBALL, 5/17).
