May Day is one of the oldest holidays still celebrated today. Various cultures and countries have celebrated the holiday over the years for many different reasons. These days, the French, among many others, celebrate May Day as labor day and many French workers join other workers around the world in taking a well deserved day off.
Unless you belong to the “Black Bloc.” If that’s the case, what better day to riot? Such was the case this year in France. A number of alleged Black Bloc protesters hijacked a peaceful protest against Emmanuel Macron’s labor reform efforts. Roughly 1,200 Black Bloc protesters swarmed the annual May Day demonstration held by labor unions. The once peaceful gathering ended with private property being destroyed, cars set on fire, and at least 100 people being arrested.
The Black Bloc is a name given to protesters dressed mostly in black who hide behind ski masks, hoodies, and images to cover up their identity. Members aren’t simply being paranoid and worried about authorities persecuting them for illegitimate reasons as Black Bloc protests often devolve into violence. In response to the use of masks, French government spokesman Benjamin Griveaux blasted protestors: “When you have sincere convictions, you demonstrate with your face unmasked. Those who wear hoods are the enemies of democracy.”
Interestingly, the Black Bloc protesters didn’t limit their attacks to the police and property. They also allegedly went after the labor protesters themselves. After a confrontation with protesters, they began smashing windows and apparently torched a McDonald’s. A car dealership was also attacked.
Labor union organizers claim that some 50,000 peaceful protesters took part in the marches. Police have claimed that only about 20,000 people showed up. Teachers, nurses, and rail workers were among the many who were out voicing their displeasure over Macron’s efforts to reform labor laws.
Four people were injured, including one police officer. Police responded with tear gas and used a water cannon to disperse the crowd. Authorities got the situation under control, but only after public and private property took the hit.
Why are Some French Protesting Macron’s Reforms?
France’s labor code has been compiled over decades and, before Macron took office, stood at about 3,300 pages long. Macron has been trying to overhaul the labor code, providing protection to workers while also giving employers more leeway in hires, terminations, work schedules, and pay rates. The reforms, if enacted, would grant companies more ability to respond to changing economic conditions and would make them less beholden to collective bargaining agreements.
Macron’s reform efforts are ambitious but the end result would be a labor law system more in-line with the USA, the United Kingdom, Germany, and other countries. France is infamous for having some of the most complex labor regulations in the world. The idea is to turn away from an adversarial model with employers and labor officials bickering over every tidbit and towards a consensus-driven model akin to Germany and Scandinavia’s.
These moves, however, have drummed up a lot of opposition. Macron has come under fire from some camps, with critics arguing that his reforms will hurt workers the most.
Macron, however, believes that labor reform will be vital for bringing down France’s high unemployment rate, which still remains at 10 percent. With employers having easy access to other countries across the European Union, it can be difficult to justify investments in France.
Even if the Black Bloc does not agree with Macron’s reforms, turning a peaceful protest into a violent one is not the best way to achieve their goals.
