Paris, Mar 8 (Prensa Latina) One day after hundreds of thousands of French workers protested its approval, French Labor Minister Gerard Larcher said the new Beginning Workers Contract (CPE) will go in effect as soon as the Constitutional Council approves it.

With such approval the CPE, pushed by PM Dominique de Villapin as the magic solution to unemployment, will put new employees under 26 years of age, in companies with more than 20 employees, on two-year probation, during which time they can be fired without cause.

Those opposing the CPE, such as former PM socialist Laurent Fabius, say it will eliminate labor rights, is extremely destructive, and will provoke tension in the country.

Despite 9.6 percent unemployment in France, mobilizations have taken place against the CPE since February, and Tuesday there were demonstrations in more than 160 cities.

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