Two days of protests under the banner of the powerful state-sector CGT, saw demonstrations in several cities, with critics insisting the reforms will tip the balance in favor of bosses over workers.

Numbers were down for the second day of protests, on Thursday. However, there is still a risk that upcoming demonstrations could snowball against reforms on unemployment insurance, professional training and pensions.

The centrist 39-year old told CNN this week: “I do believe in democracy. And democracy is not in the street.”

Public opinion is split between welcoming the labour law changes as boosting competitiveness but denting employees' rights.

The executive orders, which critics say are undemocratic as they avoid lengthier parliamentary debates, will come into force in the coming days before being ratified in parliament, where Mr Macron's Republic on the Move party holds a large majority. That should take place late November.

This is the second time he has signed a law live by camera, the first being one on political ethics earlier this month.

That already raised hackles from some on social media, with one user exclaiming: "It makes me sick. We're in Europe, not in the USA!"