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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, postal workers and private sector 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 more internships and other opportunities."
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 unravelling even within his own cabinet. The French prime minister says he is willing to soften but not repeal the legislation. And on Tuesday, he renewed calls for dialogue with labor 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. | 
