France at higher risk of financial disruption than Afghanistan or Brazil
France is currently at a higher risk of business disruption than any other advanced economy due to the large number of violent protests over labour rights over the past year, according to political risk analysts at Verisk Maplecroft.

Firms looking to quit the U.K. following the Brexit vote may wish to avoid France, judging by a report on Wednesday that said the country was highly vulnerable to business disruption. France was the only advanced economy judged at "high risk" from upset caused by civil unrest. It is more vulnerable than emerging markets like South Africa, Argentina, Brazil — and even Afghanistan — political risk firm Verisk Maplecroft said.



Riot police prepare to disperse refinery workers blockading the oil depot of Douchy-Les-Mines on May 25, 2016. FRANCOIS LO PRESTI | AFP | Getty Images

"As companies assess the viability of relocating European headquarters from the U.K. following the Brexit referendum, the findings provide a useful insight into some of the structural problems facing business in France," the firm said in a media release accompanying Wednesday's report. France has suffered sizable protests on a roughly weekly basis over the last year and lacks means to prevent grievances escalating, Verisk Maplecroft said. Violent protests struck Paris in June, for instance, as police clashed with demonstrators objecting to changes to France's restrictive labor laws. "This type of civil unrest can result in both physical damages to property and business interruption due to the disruption to key infrastructure," the report said. The controversial reforms were passed in July, decreasing the risk of protests and strikes for the next six months, according to Kit Nicholl, a country risk analyst at IHS Markit. "With the exception of a few national demonstrations in September and October (the first is on September 15), the protest movement is likely to fizzle out, markedly decreasing the disruption to France's operational environment," Nicholl told CNBC on Monday by email.

People demonstrate in Le Havre on May 26, 2016 against the government's proposed labor reforms. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU | AFP | Getty Images

However, transport strikes and disruption are likely to continue through 2016, Nicholl said.

"So far this year, there have been severe spells of disruption to road, rail, marine, and air transport and cargo. Further strikes by air-traffic controllers, Air France staff, port workers in Marseille and Calais and employees of the national rail network are likely in the three-month outlook," he told CNBC. Meanwhile, the U.K. rated as "low risk" for business disruption, on a par with Germany, but marginally better than Switzerland and Finland. Verisk Maplecroft said the U.K.'s vulnerability could increase however, as its new government begins arduous negotiations to quit the European Union (EU). "The implications of the U.K.'s vote to leave the EU increase the potential for unrest in the country. The possibility of price rises for imported goods, combined with a slowdown in economic activity is likely to serve as a key source of popular discontent," the firm said. Protests occurred in London and other U.K. cities in the wake of the referendum, as remain voters objected to the outcome. Some corporates and banks have touted the idea of re-headquartering or moving staff to countries like France, Germany, Luxembourg or the Netherlands that remain in the EU.

Protestors march from Park Lane to Parliament during the anti-Brexit rally in London, England on July 2, 2016. Isabel Infantes | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images