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The number of jobless reached 3.224 million in March, the equivalent of 10.2 per cent of the workforce. Unemployment has increased by 11.5 per cent in a year exceeding the record set in 1997.
"Moreover, although it cannot admit it, the government does not really believe in the presidential cant about a reduction in unemployment this year," notes Le Figaro. In its editorial, the conservative daily calls for "major resources" to combat unemployment [...] even if that means going against accepted socialist doctrine": a drastic cut in labour costs, an end to the 35-hour week, and a major overhaul of unemployment benefits.
These are "measures […] that the most solid European countries implemented ages ago," points out the newspaper.
