Uh oh! Douchebage Douchebag ain't gonna like this.
France's parliament voted to effectively rescind the 35-hour work week, raising overtime limits and letting private-sector employees swap time off for more money in a bid to boost employment and incomes.
But I thought the 35 hour work week was supposed to increase employment.
Chirac's backers said longer hours will increase wages and eventually reduce an unemployment rate of 10.1 percent, the highest in five years. A nationwide strike to protest the change and seek higher pay disrupted transport, schools, and postal service on March 10.
But according to Douchebag Douchebag the French economy was in better shape than the United States economy.
The 35-hour week has ``heavily weighed on wage increases,'' French Finance Minister Thierry Breton said March 15, responding to a question from a Socialist lawmaker in parliament. ``You wanted to share jobs, people had to share wages.''
Another socialist experiment bites the dust.
The Frogs could have it worse and be like the Germans with a 12.4% unemployment rate. But then again, the Krauts get three weeks every other year at a health resort paid for by the government. Ahhh, the rewards of socialism.
Posted by: Ric on March 23, 2005 11:22 AMI remember reading a defense (by an Internet poster) of Germany that went something like: Their economy is "restructuring" right now and the high unemployment is a result of that. It will soon go back down after all the new and improved changes.
I wait with bated breath.
Posted by: addison on March 23, 2005 04:15 PMLol, restructuring from what? World War II?
I think We should use that, when people talk shit about our economy. "Hey, we're still recovering from that whole, American Revolution thing.
Posted by: Young Con on March 23, 2005 05:51 PMYoung Con - What has screwed up the German economy has been reunification with East Germany. I believe that is what the "restructuring" means. A socialist economy tried to absorb a communist economy and the lack of work ethic that was breeded by the communist society. Schroeder is now contemplating tax cuts on the American model to spur the economy.
Posted by: denny on March 23, 2005 06:56 PMDenny, you need to check the AP business section for more good news. Air France is buying Boeing 777 jets for their fleet.
Posted by: Jeremy on March 25, 2005 05:06 PM