> The view of many, including the OECD and the European Commission, is that the labour market is at the heart of the problem, though it's not the only factor.

> That reflects a persistent complaint from business: that it's too expensive to hire workers and to fire them or lay them off if they need to.

> The OECD says in its assessment of the French economy: "To reduce the duality of the labour market, the procedures for laying off employees, particularly those on permanent contracts, need to be simplified and shortened….