French gov't rejects destructive strike amnesty

PARIS (AP) -- The French government will not vote for a law that would give amnesty to workers who ransacked company offices or threatened their bosses during labor disputes.

The measure stirred debate in France, especially since it passed the Senate just days before violent clashes between police and protesting tire workers.

But the government has been largely silent on whether it supported the bill, drafted by members of leftist parties that it often relies on to pass its agenda.

Alain Vidalies, minister for parliamentary relations, told French radio Wednesday the government would not support the bill when it goes to the lower, more powerful house of parliament next month. That makes it almost certain to fail.

Politicians on the right have said the amnesty would further exacerbate the country's tense labor relations.