“I will not give in” President Francois Hollande said on Tuesday in a radio interview for Europe 1. His popularity rating has hit rock bottom a year from an election.
He stood firm by the labor reform which makes hiring and firing easier, he also warned that police would not tolerate violence.
“People have a right to protest but rioting is an offence that will be punished” he said.
Demonstrations in Paris and other French cities are scheduled for Tuesday and throughout the week, when railworkers are set to join the fray with stoppages expected to cause major disruption for commuters.
Hollande said over 1.000 people had been arrested during clashes with police over recent months. In fact, France’s police chief stated ahead of the demonstrations that a small group of protesters and activists have been banned from the streets of Paris as too hardline, which was highly criticized.
One of the strongest labor unions, the CGT has called for rolling strikes by rail workers, dockers and airport staff as well as two days of street demonstrations, on Tuesday and Thursday.
Turnout numbers from police suggested that the protest movement is weakening. But unions are already announcing their participation to a two-day general strike this week. Trains and public transport, airports, ports and schools will be blocked or off service. Several roads will be blocked by truckers across France as well.
The government has watered down its initial labor law reform project, but last week decided to bypass the French parliament which would not vote for it and force the change through by decree, causing splits within its own ranks in parliament. The government survived the initial political outrage but is now faced again with a wave or protests.
Its plan would allow employers to opt out of the obligations of national labor law in favor of pay terms and conditions set at company level. Those against the reform argue it would result to undermining labor protection to an unacceptable extent.