The TUC has called on the government to toughen laws on workers' rights following a ruling by the French courts against UK retailer Marks and Spencer.

Its call came after a Paris court ruled the company had breached the country's labour laws by attempting to shut stores. The decision effectively suspended the troubled retailer's attempts to restructure its European business.

Marks and Spencer last month announced it would close 18 stores in France along with the rest of its European and American outlets.

The court ruled the company had broken French law because it had failed to consult with employees before taking the decision.

The TUC's general secretary, John Monks, said that the ruling highlighted the vulnerability of British workers.

"This welcome decision underlines the better protection available to workers across the channel - French workers have shown they will not put up with such high-handed behaviour," said Monks.

He called on the government to toughen laws governing workers rights.

"It may the fashion in Britain to announce job losses to the media whenever a company needs a short term boost to its share price. But as this decision shows, in France employers need to act responsibly, taking into account the needs of their workforce as well as their shareholders. This shows why people at work in the UK need the European proposals for wider information and consultation rights to become law as soon as possible," he said.

A spokesman for the company, replying to the court's ruling, said the decision would not delay its withdrawal from Europe which would be completed within a year.