France · Country watch
Student Protests Persist, Mondial Relay Expands Hiring
Student protests continue to disrupt schools, while Mondial Relay hires over 1,000 seasonal workers for the holiday season.
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Business conditions in France are mixed today. Student protests continue to disrupt schools, while Mondial Relay's hiring spree offers opportunities in logistics. However, a new tax on Chinese goods increases costs for SMEs.
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In this briefing Édouard Geffray · Ministry of National Education (France) · Mondial Relay
Regulation
New Tax on Chinese Goods Affects SMEs
A new tax on small parcels from China is impacting French SMEs that rely on Chinese manufacturing. The tax, set at 3 euros per parcel, depends on the customs code, value, and origin of the goods, as reported by Le Journal du Net. This regulation aims to address trade imbalances and encourage local production, but it poses additional costs for companies importing from China.
Impact SMEs importing from China face increased costs due to the new parcel tax.
Sources: Le Journal du Net ↗
Internal tension
Student Protests Cause Disruptions in Schools
Student protests have resumed in France, affecting several schools in major cities like Paris, Marseille, and Toulouse. Education Minister Édouard Geffray described the disruptions as 'residual' but acknowledged the protests' impact on school operations. The protests, led by student organizations, follow a series of demonstrations against government policies. The movement has persisted despite government concessions announced last week, according to France Info.
Impact School administrators and educators face operational challenges due to ongoing student protests.
Watch A major strike is planned for 5 November. · 5 November 2026
Sources: France Info ↗, BFMTV ↗
Companies
Mondial Relay Hires 1,250 Seasonal Workers
Mondial Relay, a major parcel delivery service, announced plans to hire 1,250 seasonal workers to manage the expected surge in parcel volumes during the holiday season. The company will recruit 450 temporary workers and 800 drivers in France and Belgium between October and December. This move aims to handle the anticipated doubling of parcel volumes by January, according to Nice-Matin Économie.
Impact Logistics firms and job seekers benefit from increased hiring by Mondial Relay for the holiday season.
Sources: Nice-Matin Économie ↗, Sud Ouest Économie ↗
Nothing significant reported today in Disruption · Safety & health · Markets · Trade · Politics.
Also today in the local press
- Rhône. Taux, crises, instabilité : le marché immobilier ne sait plus sur quel pied danser — Le Progrès Économie
- DIRECT. Colère des lycéens : premiers blocages à Paris, Marseille ou Rennes, quelle mobilisation en ce jour de rentrée ? Toutes les infos de ce lundi — Sud Ouest Économie
- Opérations de déstabilisation : la défense française sous pression — Le Journal du Dimanche
- "Je n'en peux plus des manifestations" : à Paris, des commerçants craignent une nouvelle semaine compliquée — France Info Économie
- Alors que les prévisions macroéconomiques ne tiennent plus, à quoi servent les discussions dans l'hémicycle sur le budget ? — France Info Économie
- "Nous devons agir avant qu'une inflation élevée ne commence à paraître normale": le gouverneur de la Banque de Slovaquie juge inévitables de nouvelles hausses de taux de la BCE — BFM Business
- DIRECT. Crise des lycées: Raphaël Glucksmann juge les demandes "parfaitement légitimes" et la réponse du gouvernement "trop tard et trop floue" — BFMTV
- Jean-Marc Chery (STMicroelectronics) : STMicro, rebond des ventes au 3e trimestre - 02/11 — BFM Business
Sources in this briefing
Sources: each headline links to the original article on the publisher's site.
The same day elsewhere
- Argentina: IMF Payment Strain; Cyber Monday Launch
- Brazil: New SAC Rules, Volta Redonda Violence
- Canada: Ontario Speeds Mining Approvals, Time Change Ends
- China: PBOC's $15B Asset Swap, Chinese Stocks Rebound
- Colombia: Alicorp Expands in Cali, Fiscal Rescue Law Backed
- Germany: Fuel Price Cap Plan, Deutsche Bahn Delays
- Egypt: Egypt Cuts Spending, Banque du Caire IPO
- Spain: Blocus Arrests in Barcelona, Ibex 35 Rises
- United Kingdom: UK Evacuations Over Safety, Skilled Migrants Boost
- Indonesia: Tax Incentives Reviewed, Flood Warnings Issued
- Israel: Cybersecurity Alert, Herzog's Coalition Strategy
- India: Delhi Trade Disruption, Sensex Surge, Helicopter Services Halted
- Iraq: IMF Talks with Iraq, PM's Regional Tour
- Iran: Oil Prices Drop, Iran-Africa Trade Surges
- Italy: Cyberattacks Hit Italian Supermarkets, Schools Close
- Jordan: Gold Prices Rise, Border Security Tightened
- Japan: GMO Data Breach, Japan FX Intervention, Resona's Semiconductor Focus
- Kenya: IMF Urges Tax Reform, Cybersecurity Boost
- South Korea: KOSPI Rebounds, Won Rises, Medical Tourism Boost
- Lebanon: Lebanon Power Cuts, Army Security Operations
- Morocco: Transport Subsidy Extended, Weather Alerts Issued
- Mexico: Matamoros Troop Deployment, Jalisco Water Crisis
- Malaysia: Flooding Disrupts Subang; Foreigners Banned from Bazaars
- Nigeria: SSANU Strike Begins, Eurobond Yields Rise
- Netherlands: Dutch Tax Plan Delayed, Supermarket Cyberattack
- Poland: Tax Changes Proposed, Gas Bill Support Planned
- Portugal: Public Sector Strike Hits Services, Minho Rail Disrupted
- Russia: Russia's Energy Strategy, Ukraine Power Outages
- Syria: Tax Reforms and Bakery Violations Impact Business
- Turkey: Turkey-AB Agriculture Trade Rises, Istanbul Traffic Disruption
- Ukraine: Power Cuts Widen, Kyiv Transport Disrupted
- United States: Data Center Bans, Cyberattacks on Alert Apps
- Vietnam: VN-Index Drops, HCMC Attracts New Investments
- Yemen: Yemen Cabinet Reshuffle; Houthi Attack in Lahij
- South Africa: SAHRC Blames Water Crisis, AGOA Trade Uncertainty