it feels like the “promises” (read: lies) of neoliberalism have screwed over many first world nations.
a lot of what you excellently described is going on in the United States as well, for the most part.
many kudos to our French brothers and sisters and their massive protests. I’m not sure what needs to be done, but I hope that people around the world can take back what is rightfully theirs: equality, true freedom from oppressive, corrupt governments, and an honest living
The last time a slightly leftist government was elected was in 1981, and they turned neoliberal in 1983. Since then, worker’s right are fought by successive governments.
And successfully so: the last time a national worker’s movement won anything was in 1995 (in 2006 there was a student’s victory though).
Only 10% of the workers are in an Union, same as in the US.
However, it’s not a hell neither:
French work 1511 hours by year, indeed under the OECD average (1751) or the Americans (1810) but higher than Germans (1340) who have the reputation to be workaholics.
The reputation is however not without basis:
French have the highest number of strike days by year for 1000 workers (114), far more than Americans (6). But iy should be noted that not everyone strikes in France, generally the civil servants or employees of State owned firms strike for the others. I did not found the exact number, but for private firms’ employees, the number of strike days on average will be far lesser than 114 (but probably more that 6 ^^). And these hours are not paid, thus a lowering of quality of life.
The German numbers are low, because it is quite common to work only part-time, especially for women. Part-time workers are included in the statistics. Also it is questionable if overtime is counted correctly, because Germans probably do not report it.
I would add that France is the 7th largest economy in the world. Germany 5th. South Korea 13th.
Working time matters much less than the slave-driving CEOs or workaholics would have you believe. 1 week vs 6 weeks off a year is like a 10% difference. That’s a pitiful variance compared to how much our productivity is affected by liking our job, being motivated, not being overworked, etc.
If only…
(A Frenchman)
Can we get more details on this?
I’d like to hear something more nuanced than the bumper sticker logic that seems to always float to the top of this community
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it feels like the “promises” (read: lies) of neoliberalism have screwed over many first world nations.
a lot of what you excellently described is going on in the United States as well, for the most part.
many kudos to our French brothers and sisters and their massive protests. I’m not sure what needs to be done, but I hope that people around the world can take back what is rightfully theirs: equality, true freedom from oppressive, corrupt governments, and an honest living
The whole time I read that, I just kept thinking “haha yeah imagine a country doing all that…”
The French do seem to take protesting to the extreme, but then again, it got them the benefits they currently enjoy.
I like to pretend the police “shitting down protests” isn’t a typo
Adds a weird, unnecessary twist to an already interesting, though highly disconcerting, read
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France is far from a worker’s paradise:
However, it’s not a hell neither:
The reputation is however not without basis:
The German numbers are low, because it is quite common to work only part-time, especially for women. Part-time workers are included in the statistics. Also it is questionable if overtime is counted correctly, because Germans probably do not report it.
I would add that France is the 7th largest economy in the world. Germany 5th. South Korea 13th.
Working time matters much less than the slave-driving CEOs or workaholics would have you believe. 1 week vs 6 weeks off a year is like a 10% difference. That’s a pitiful variance compared to how much our productivity is affected by liking our job, being motivated, not being overworked, etc.
I agree.