U.S.-owned companies, which employ some 1.6 million French workers, have been the most vociferous. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has even threatened French business and government that strict enforcement of the 35-hour week could deter U.S. investment. Obviously, to maintain global working standards, the rest of the industrialized world is going to have to catch up with the French. Spain is already moving in that direction. Belgium is debating some pilot projects to reduce work- time, including one plan in which the government would help employers finance a cut from 38 to 32 hours by allowing them to pay reduced social security contributions for six years.
Some unionists feel the plan is too generous to employers.
Meanwhile, back in Paris, reports UE s European correspondent Jeff Apter, people are at the height of the summer siesta. Most people take a big chunk of their five-week legally mandated vacations in August. Things pretty much shut down in August.