By Brandon Fuller, Aplia
Although relatively high at 10%, the national rate of unemployment in France masks the astronomical unemployment rate among the young French Muslims of Arab and African descent that live primarily in impoverished suburbs. Some of these unemployed, disaffected youths began rioting on October 27 after two teenagers were electrocuted while purportedly hiding from police in an electricity substation. While tensions about racial discrimination are undoubtedly at the root of the ongoing French riots, this Financial Times editorial piece considers the role that government labor policies play in the ongoing riots.
The authors are of the opinion that labor market policy reforms would reduce unemployment among France's destitute suburbs. The problems that follow emphasize the role that structural labor policies play in the determination of unemployment in France
questions:
The national unemployment rate in France is 10%. Yet, the national average tells us little about the labor market experience among different demographic groups in France. The rioters tend to be young French-born Muslims of Arab or African descent. Employment statistics among French youth and Muslim minorities are telling.
1.1. According to the commentary, the youth unemployment rate in France is:
A. 43%
B. 36%
C. 15%
D. 21%
According to the commentary, the unemployment rate in riot-torn areas of France reach as high as:
A. 30-35%
B. 40-50%
C. 65-75%
D. 13-14%
Most analysts agree that discrimination plays a significant role in keeping young French Muslims at the margins of French society. The commentary claims there is strong anecdotal evidence (evidence based on casual observation) of racial discrimination by employers.
According to the article, France's interior minister, __________, wants to implement positive discrimination policies (affirmative action) to address excessive minority unemployment.
A. Dominique de Villepin
B. Jean-Marie Le Pen
C. Gerard Depardieu
D. Nicolas Sarkozy
The Financial Times editors argue that France's labor market system, while not directly causing the riots, certainly exacerbates problems in the impoverished suburbs. According to the commentary, which of the following aspects of French labor policy marginalize young, less qualified workers?
I. Minimum wages
II. Payroll taxes
III. Workplace safety standards
IV. Firing restrictions
V. Unionization
A. II, III, and V only
B. I, II, and IV only
C. I, II, III, and IV only
D. II and IV only
E. IV only
F. I, II, III, IV, and V
G. I only
Although relatively high at 10%, the national rate of unemployment in France masks the astronomical unemployment rate among the young French Muslims of Arab and African descent that live primarily in impoverished suburbs. Some of these unemployed, disaffected youths began rioting on October 27 after two teenagers were electrocuted while purportedly hiding from police in an electricity substation. While tensions about racial discrimination are undoubtedly at the root of the ongoing French riots, this Financial Times editorial piece considers the role that government labor policies play in the ongoing riots.
The authors are of the opinion that labor market policy reforms would reduce unemployment among France's destitute suburbs. The problems that follow emphasize the role that structural labor policies play in the determination of unemployment in France
questions:
The national unemployment rate in France is 10%. Yet, the national average tells us little about the labor market experience among different demographic groups in France. The rioters tend to be young French-born Muslims of Arab or African descent. Employment statistics among French youth and Muslim minorities are telling.
1.1. According to the commentary, the youth unemployment rate in France is:
A. 43%
B. 36%
C. 15%
D. 21%
According to the commentary, the unemployment rate in riot-torn areas of France reach as high as:
A. 30-35%
B. 40-50%
C. 65-75%
D. 13-14%
Most analysts agree that discrimination plays a significant role in keeping young French Muslims at the margins of French society. The commentary claims there is strong anecdotal evidence (evidence based on casual observation) of racial discrimination by employers.
According to the article, France's interior minister, __________, wants to implement positive discrimination policies (affirmative action) to address excessive minority unemployment.
A. Dominique de Villepin
B. Jean-Marie Le Pen
C. Gerard Depardieu
D. Nicolas Sarkozy
The Financial Times editors argue that France's labor market system, while not directly causing the riots, certainly exacerbates problems in the impoverished suburbs. According to the commentary, which of the following aspects of French labor policy marginalize young, less qualified workers?
I. Minimum wages
II. Payroll taxes
III. Workplace safety standards
IV. Firing restrictions
V. Unionization
A. II, III, and V only
B. I, II, and IV only
C. I, II, III, and IV only
D. II and IV only
E. IV only
F. I, II, III, IV, and V
G. I only
