Protests, strike over labor reforms engulf France
Protesters have clashed with police in several cities across France as a government plan for carrying out reforms in the labor market keeps stirring controversy.
Violent demonstrations were reported on Thursday across France as police tried to disperse workers and students protesting reforms to labor rules.
Riot police fired tear gas to disperse protesters in the western cities of Nantes and Rennes while demonstrators threw firecrackers and yellow paint at security forces in Paris. Confrontations escalated in eastern parts of the city with some smashing cash machines with bats or setting off smoke canisters. Officials said 10 youths were arrested in Paris.
Reports suggested that 200 demonstrations were held across France, drawing tens of thousands people nationwide despite rainy weather.
The street protests came as train drivers, teachers and others went on strike to reject plans for relaxing the 35-hour workweek. The Eiffel tower was declared closed all day as the company operating the monument issued a statement saying it was short of staff to open the tower with “sufficient security and reception conditions.”
Tourists were seen stranded around the tower, showing tickets they had arranged before. Some 20 percent of flights at Paris' Orly airport were canceled while state railway company SNCF warned of disruptions to national and regional train traffic.
The French government has defended its controversial set of proposed reforms as a way for encouraging firms to hire more staff. Unions and students say the plans will make it easier for struggling companies to fire workers. The reforms have seriously tainted the image of President Francois Hollande as his approval rating has hit a new low of 15 percent.
France's unemployment rate is currently hovering at 10 percent.
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