[JURIST] The French National Assembly [official website] voted Wednesday in favor of a proposal that will allow private sector employees to work up to 48 hours a week, despite last weekend's demonstration by 300,000 French workers [JURIST report] in protest of the work week bill [legislative materials in French; background from Prime Minister's office]. The bill will now go before the French Senate [official website], which must approve it before it can become law. Supporters of the plan to allow a longer work week say the reform will lessen the burden on companies and state finances and allow workers to earn more money. Opponents see the ban as the first step toward undermining the French social security system. BBC News has more. Le Monde has local coverage in French.