Revised Bill on Youth Jobs Sent to Chirac

The upper house of France's parliament approved a revision of a youth jobs law that had brought thousands of protesters into the streets, completing an embarrassing reversal for President Jacques Chirac's government.

The Senate voted 158-123 in favor of the new measure, a day after approval by the National Assembly.

Chirac has 15 days to sign it and is expected to do so.

The revised bill strips out a provision that critics said would have made it easier to fire younger workers, and adds training for disadvantaged youths.