A gradual improvement in the economy is translating into stuttering recovery in the labour market with large monthly fluctuations in the number of out of work. New President Emmanuel Macron, who took office earlier this month, launched talks this week with unions and employers over labour reforms aimed at introducing more flexibility in the hope of reviving the jobs market. The INSEE official statistics office said last week that the unemployment rate fell to 9.6 percent of the workforce in the first quarter from 10.0 percent in the previous three months.
A gradual improvement in the economy is translating into stuttering recovery in the labour market with large monthly fluctuations in the number of out of work. New President Emmanuel Macron, who took office earlier this month, launched talks this week with unions and employers over labour reforms aimed at introducing more flexibility in the hope of reviving the jobs market. The INSEE official statistics office said last week that the unemployment rate fell to 9.6 percent of the workforce in the first quarter from 10.0 percent in the previous three months.