French unions protest labor day bill

French trade unions held protests in Paris against a proposed parliamentary bill that would permit certain businesses to operate on Labor Day, traditionally a national holiday on which work is broadly prohibited. Demonstrators massed in central Paris with banners and slogans defending May 1 as a symbolic hard‑won social achievement; union leaders called the proposal an unacceptable erosion of labor protections and warned that allowing work on Labor Day in the capital could set a nationwide precedent.

The government argues the bill aims to boost economic activity in Paris—helping tourism, retail and hospitality—by permitting shops, museums and restaurants to open under specified conditions. Officials say work would be voluntary and accompanied by higher pay or compensation to protect employee rights. Business groups representing retailers and tourism operators support the measure, saying Paris faces competition from cities that remain open year‑round and that some workers welcome the opportunity for extra holiday pay.

Unions rejected government assurances, arguing that “voluntary” shifts often become de facto compulsory for low‑paid staff facing pressure from employers and potential loss of hours. They framed the proposal as part of a wider trend of policies prioritizing economic flexibility over social protections, pointing to recent contentious reforms to pensions and labor laws. Protesters emphasized Labor Day’s symbolic role for collective rest, solidarity and historical memory, warning that commercializing the day would strip it of meaning.

Parliamentary debate has been divided: some lawmakers sided with unions, calling the measure socially harmful, while others backed targeted flexibility to aid economic growth without dismantling labor rights. Amendments and compromises are under discussion as the legislative process continues. Unions have vowed to sustain pressure on lawmakers, threatening further demonstrations and strikes if the bill advances, and called on the government to withdraw the proposal and engage in dialogue with social partners. The confrontation has reopened broader questions about balancing economic competitiveness with preservation of longstanding social traditions in France.