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Read the Guéant text (in French) French Minister of Interior Claude Guéant unvails the circular of the 31st of May, also known as the Guéant circular. The text aims at diminishing the rights of foreigners, in particularly of students allowed to stay to work in France at the end of their studies. The measure is very negatively received by students, associations, intellectuals and employers.
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The action group's website (link in French) An action group called "31st of May" is created by a group of students. There are claiming for the withdrawal of the circular and intend to help foreign students encountering difficulties.
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Watch the video of Claude's Guéant declaration (in French)
Due to the long going protests, Claude Guéant is compelled to take action. He declares on the French radio RFI that there have been "misunderstandings". He then accepts to consult universities and employer representants make concessions according to their demands. -
To sign the petition click here
A petition called "grey matter is every colour" is published online. The initiative is launched by Fabienne Servan-Schreiber producer, Bertrand Monthubert mathematician, and Jean-Pierre mignard lawyer. They are claiming for the withdrawal of the circular. -
The governement's view
After a meeting which included for the political side Claude Guéant, French Interior minister, Laurent Wauquiez, Education minister and Xavier Bertrand, minister of Social Affairs, and representants of universities and employers, the different parties agree on altering the circular. -
The report of the ceremony (link in French)
A sponsorship ceremony is organised by the creators of the petition "grey matter is every colour" which recently reached the figure of 30 000 signature. 1000 cases of foreigners in difficulty because of the circular have been reported and each one is supporter by a prestigious sponsor. -
Precisions about the measure
The new amendment only helps highly qualified foreign students. Indeed, to obtain a work permit former students will have to be in possession at least of a master's degree (five years of study). Students and associations are not satisfied with the measure and continue to claim for the withdrawal of the circular.
