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France labour dispute: Wave of strike action nationwide France labour dispute: Wave of strike action nationwide
(about 5 hours later)
Industrial action over labour law reforms is gripping France nationwide, with oil refineries, nuclear power stations and transport hubs affected. Strike action over labour law reforms gripped France on Thursday, with oil refineries, nuclear power stations and transport hubs disrupted.
Motorways and bridges were blocked and flights delayed, and 16 arrests were made as a result of clashes in Paris. Riot police battled protesters in Paris and other cities, making 77 arrests, while 15 officers were injured and cars and shops were vandalised.
Prime Minister Manuel Valls insists the reforms will not be withdrawn but has suggested they could be "modified".Prime Minister Manuel Valls insists the reforms will not be withdrawn but has suggested they could be "modified".
The action, building over three months, comes two weeks before France hosts the Euro 2016 football championships. France is due to host the Euro 2016 football championships next month.
A state of emergency imposed after November's deadly attack by militants from the co-called Islamic State group in Paris remains in place. A state of emergency imposed after November's deadly attack by militants from the so-called Islamic State group in Paris remains in place.
The CGT union is leading the action, supported by six other unions including Force Ouvriere and Unef, whereas the more moderate CFDT union backs the labour reforms.The CGT union is leading the action, supported by six other unions including Force Ouvriere and Unef, whereas the more moderate CFDT union backs the labour reforms.
Dozens of people broke away from the demonstration in Paris and set about smashing shop windows and parked cars in a side street. Tear gas filled the air as police in Paris struggled to contain a march which set off from Place de la Bastille.
Masked youths hurled bottles at police, who responded with tear gas. Of the arrests, 36 were made in the capital while other cities like Lyon and Bordeaux saw similar confrontations.
Elsewhere in France on Thursday: Officials say 153,000 people took part across France though union leaders put the number at nearly twice that.
French labour reform bill - main pointsFrench labour reform bill - main points
Flights to and from Paris, Nantes and Toulouse have been affected, and a rolling strike by train drivers has brought further disruption to regional and commuter rail services. Flights to and from Paris, Nantes and Toulouse were affected, and a rolling strike by train drivers brought further disruption to regional and commuter rail services.
CGT union members at nuclear power plants voted on Wednesday to join the strike, and the union said 16 of the country's 19 power stations would be affected. RTE, the body overseeing France's national power network, said stoppages at nuclear power stations were not having an immediate effect on electricity supply but warned, "If it worsens, it will have an impact on the management of the network."
Nuclear power provides about 75% of the country's electricity. Grid operator RTE said nuclear power capacity was being cut by at least four gigawatts, equivalent to 6% of the country's total production capacity, on Thursday, Reuters news agency reports. A third of petrol stations were dry or dangerously low on fuel after days of blockades at refineries by union activists.
Six of France's eight oil refineries have already been hit by strikes and barricades, as have major ports including Marseille and Le Havre. Five of the country's eight refineries remained at standstill or were operating at reduced capacity on Thursday.
As the union action ramped up on Thursday morning, Mr Valls indicated there might "still be changes, improvements" made to the labour reform laws. 'Not such a bad thing'
But he rejected Finance Minister Michel Sapin's suggestion that Article 2 of the bill could be rewritten. Article 2 gives individual companies the power to opt out of national obligations on labour protection if they feel they need to - something the CGT union is fiercely opposed to. Mr Valls indicated there might "still be changes, improvements" made to the labour reform laws.
Pumps running dry But he rejected Finance Minister Michel Sapin's suggestion that Article 2 of the bill could be rewritten.
The French Union of Petroleum Industries says a third of France's 12,000 petrol stations are now running dry. Article 2 gives individual companies the power to opt out of national obligations on labour protection if they feel they need to - something the CGT union fiercely opposes.
It said the government had begun using its strategic fuel reserves, which analysts say will last around four months. German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble backed the reform, saying: "France can live with such disputes."
Transport Minister Alain Vidalies said 40% of petrol stations around Paris were struggling to get fuel. "A certain dissatisfaction of voters with their respective rulers isn't such a bad thing in principle," he added.
Unions were enraged by the government's decision to use a constitutional device allow its watered-down labour reforms to be made into law without parliamentary approval. Unions were enraged by the government's decision to use a constitutional device to allow its watered-down labour reforms to be made into law without parliamentary approval.
The government says the reforms, which make it easier for companies to hire and fire staff, are needed to bring down unemployment.The government says the reforms, which make it easier for companies to hire and fire staff, are needed to bring down unemployment.
The CGT has called for another day of action on 14 June, four days after Euro 2016 opens.
"The government has the time to say 'let's stop the clock' and everything will be OK," CGT chief Philippe Martinez told Reuters news agency when asked if his union was willing to disrupt the tournament.
Are you in France and affected by the strikes? Are you a worker taking part in industrial action? Or are you about to travel to France and concerned about how the strikes will affect you? Please get in touch. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.ukAre you in France and affected by the strikes? Are you a worker taking part in industrial action? Or are you about to travel to France and concerned about how the strikes will affect you? Please get in touch. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk
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