French Prime Minster promises deeper reforms

French Prime Minister Manuel Valls plans to review the country's labour laws, bringing more flexibility to employers and employees.

In a speech at the Socialist Party's annual conference in La Rochelle, Valls said that France's work code is "so complex that it has become inefficient: curbed activity; wage earners who no longer know their rights", the Financial Times reported.

Employers, employees and their representatives all need "more latitude" to decide things for themselves, Valls said, according to the Financial Times.

Yet, Reuters reported that Valls' remarks were greeted by heckles and boos from "a small group of young party members" who accuse him of putting the interests of business over socialist ideals.

Valls said the government would continue with its plans, Reuters said. "We are pressing ahead with the deep reforms our economy needs. We won't be swayed," he said, according to Reuters.

Valls said the government would lower taxes next year, with a proposed cut in income tax for households, to complement reductions that were already in place, the Financial Times said.

Nine million  middle-class and working-class households are already paying reduced tax bills, with average savings of €300, Valls said, according to the Financial Times.

The reforms will not include France's 35-hour working week, Valls said, in response to comments last week by economy mister Emmanuel Macron.

"A long time ago, the left believed ... that France would be better off if people worked less. That was a wrong idea," Macron said at an annual gathering of French business leaders according to France 24.

Valls said in his speech that discussion on working hours "is closed", according to the Financial Times.

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