New Caledonia's largest union, USOENC, has denounced the refusal by two of the main parties in government to adopt a local law to protect the job market.
The Nouvelles Caledoniennes newspaper says the planned provision dates back to the 1998 Noumea Accord and is part of efforts to re-balance the territory's economy.
The issue has gone through several consultations and was ultimaltely approved by the French supreme court provided that the New Caledonan made two amendments.
The USOENC leadership has accused the Rassemblement/UMP and the FLNKS of electioneering in refusing to support the change.
It points out that after this weekend's election the draft text will still be the same.