Labor rights in France are respected in practice, and strikes are widely and effectively used to protest government economic policy. In October the French parliament adopted a Socialist-sponsored law to shorten the workweek from 39 to 35 hours. French employers, claiming the law would reduce efficiency and raise costs, staged a protest rally in Paris following the law s passage. Also in October, tens of thousands of high school students staged nationwide protests against the government s failure to follow through on promises made in 1998 to refurbish schools, hire more teachers, and reduce the size of classes. The promises were made in the wake of similar protests in 1998.
Women enjoy equal rights.
In October, the French parliament passed the Civil Solidarity Pact, granting legal rights for all couples living together, including same-sex partners.