French Prime Minister Manuel Valls has announced that the Government plans to force unpopular labour market reforms through the lower house of parliament without a vote as hundreds gathered to protest outside the National Assembly in response. 

The proposed labour law has been controversial and triggered months of protests and marches. The protesters want the government to abandon the reform, which extends working hours and makes hiring and firing workers easier. Greater flexibility in this respect could lead to dampened demand for temporary workers.  

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

Opponents of the bill say that it will allow employers to avoid workers' rights on pay, overtime and breaks.

Lawmakers to the left of the Socialist Party have stated that they would try to gather enough signatures to put forward their own no-confidence motion.