France's unemployment sees biggest fall for 15 years

France's unemployment figures experienced their biggest drop in 15 years last month, confirming a fall over the last three months. President François Hollande's government claimed the figures showed that its policies to boost employment are working at last; unions and the opposition were more cautious in their reaction.

French Labour Minister Myriam El Khomri (L) and Prime Minister Manuel Valls AFP

Unemployment in France fell 1.7 percent in March to 3.53 million, the largest monthly fall since September 2000.

Even more encouraging is the fall over three months of 49,500, given that previous monthly improvements had been followed by a worsening.

March's figures show:

• Youth unemployment down, with unemployment among under-25s falling 1.7 percent, bringing the figure to 36,000 fewer the end of 2014;

• Over-50s unemployment fell 1.0 percent, although its has risen 6.5 percent over the last year;

• Part-time work rose - up 2.0 percent for people working fewer than 78 hours, up 3.2 percent for those working more than 78 hours.

While advising caution "given the crisis faced by a large number of our fellow citizens", Labour Minister Myrian El Khomri said the figures showed an improvement of the economic situation.

Government spokesperson Stéphane Le Foll predicted that the tendency would continue, claiming that the government's Responsibility Pact and aid to small and medium enterprises had contributed to it.

"The recovery is fragile and concerns short-term contracts," the CFDT union commented.

For the right-wing Republicans, spokesperson Benoist Apparu hailed "very good news" but judged it "inusufficient".