Europe’s debt crisis is stripping away at the continent’s cherished labor entitlements, as ailing countries scrap workers’ rights and long-standing privileges in an attempt to make their economies leaner and fitter.
The Portuguese government signed off on new rules Wednesday that will shorten workers’ holidays by at least six days and introduce U.S.-style laws that make it easier and cheaper to fire them. French President Nicolas Sarkozy told trade unions the same day he wanted to help businesses by reducing the workers’ health or pension benefits that companies have to pay.
Amid a crisis that has tormented Europe for more than two years, however, some labor and social benefits no longer look affordable to countries scrambling to put their economies back on an even keel. And easing labor rules, some governments say, will unleash long-term growth.
For more: Europe bites the bullet, ditches worker privileges in reforms devised to fight debt crisis - The Washington Post
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