I HAD TO BURN DE VILLEPIN TO SAVE ME:

Paris's streets ablaze over workers' rights (Colin Randall, 24/03/2006, Daily Telegraph)

Trade union leaders, who joined students and school pupils in opposing a new law that would make it easier to hire and fire young workers, accepted an invitation to meet the beleaguered prime minister, Dominique de Villepin, today.

They insisted, however, that they would not negiotiate unless Mr de Villepin withdrew the law, which is due to take effect next month. He has ruled out scrapping the measure and his offers of concessions have been rejected.

Mr de Villepin's aides promised that the talks on the new law, which would affect job-seekers under 26, would "not be limited in any way".

He is expected to explain his offer to reduce the most contentious clauses in some fields of employment, creating a two-year trial period during which employees can be dismissed without reason.

The aim of the measure, known as the Contrat Première Embauche, or first job contract, is to tackle France's grave youth-unemployment problems.

But Mr de Villepin is struggling to rally support for the law, among even the ruling centre-Right UMP party.

The education minister, Gilles de Robien, will also have talks with protesters today.