It’s called France’s boldest attempt at affirmative action. The work contract is part of a subsidised program President Emmanuel Macron’s government is testing to combat job discrimination. The program is part of French President Macron’s broader attempt to bring down unemployment by shaking up the labour market. The gap between the haves and have-nots and the perception that the president doesn’t care has cost him during the “Yellow Vests” protests roiling Paris and other cities. While affirmative action is commonplace in the US, in France it’s known as “positive discrimination” and viewed with suspicion.

Guest: The Ambassador of France to South Africa, His Excellency Christophe Farnaud