French PM wants new labour reform law by summer

Under pressure to avoid EU sanctions for its budget slippages, the Socialist government wants to overhaul worker representation rules and reduce bureaucratic hurdles that hamper company growth once they hire 50 or more workers.

He announced the ambition in a presentation in Paris to labour unions and business groups leaders' who failed to strike a deal among themselves on the rules despite months of negotiations.

He did not give a clear timetable. Parliament normally goes into summer recess for July and August, but extraordinary sessions during that time are possible.

(Reporting by Emmanuel Jarry and Nick Vinocur; Writing by Ingrid Melander)