French labour reforms: Government to force plan through

French Prime Minister Manuel Valls announced the cabinet decision to the National Assembly

The French cabinet has given the go-ahead for Prime Minister Manuel Valls to force through highly controversial labour reforms.

An extraordinary cabinet meeting invoked the French constitution's rarely used Article 49.3, allowing the government to bypass parliament.

It came after rebel MPs from the governing Socialist party had vowed to vote down the bill.

The reforms will make it easier for employers to hire and fire workers.

Opponents, however, say the bill will allow employers to bypass workers' rights on pay, overtime and breaks.

The proposed reforms, which also include changes to France's 35-hour working week, have sparked waves of sometimes violent protests across France.

A demonstration outside the National Assembly in Paris has been called by the Nuit Debout (Up All Night) movement later on Tuesday.

French labour reform bill - main points

• The 35-hour week remains in place, but as an average. Firms can negotiate with local trade unions on more or fewer hours from week to week, up to a maximum of 46 hours
• Firms are given greater freedom to reduce pay
• The law eases conditions for laying off workers, strongly regulated in France. It is hoped companies will take on more people if they know they can shed jobs in case of a downturn
• Employers given more leeway to negotiate holidays and special leave, such as maternity or for getting married. These are currently also heavily regulated

Busting the myth of France's 35-hour working week

Mr Valls was booed by MPs from the far left and the conservative opposition when he announced the cabinet's decision to the National Assembly.

"This text, useful for businesses and for workers, faces, I regret, opposition from all sides," he said.

"My responsibility is to move forward and ensure that this text is adopted."

The BBC's Lucy Williamson in Paris says the bill, known as the Khomri law after Labour Minister Mariam El Khomri, has forced a wedge between the governing Socialist party and its left-wing supporters.

The government says relaxing workers' protection will encourage businesses to hire more people and help to combat chronic unemployment.

The proposed reforms have triggered protests across France

Activists from Nuit Debout (Up All Night) called for a protest outside the National Assembly on Tuesday

President Francois Hollande has said that he will only consider running for re-election next year if he can bring down the jobless rate, which is more than 10%.

The decision to invoke article 49.3 was made after the government failed to reach a compromise on the bill with MPs.

A group of rebels within the Socialist party has refused to support the reforms.

The only way the bill can now be stopped is by a motion of censure - effectively a vote of no confidence - in parliament within 24 hours, a move which would bring down the government.

Correspondents say such action is highly unlikely.

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• France