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France labour dispute: Rail workers strike as protests continue France labour dispute: Hollande digs in as rail strike looms
(35 minutes later)
French railway workers are to go on strike as unions continue to protest against planned labour reforms. President Francois Hollande of France has insisted that a controversial labour reform will not be withdrawn as strike action looms on the railways.
This is expected to further disrupt a transport network already suffering from a shortage of fuel. "The bill will not be withdrawn," he told a newspaper. "The text assures the best performance for businesses and offers new rights to employees."
French President Francois Hollande has insisted he will not back down over the reforms, which aim to make it easier to recruit and dismiss employees. Protesters clashed with police last week during marches against the bill, which makes hiring and firing easier.
Public sector workers in neighbouring Belgium are also going on strike on Tuesday over budget cuts. France will host the Euro 2016 football championships next week.
The national strike there will see police officers, teachers and some civil servants join train drivers and prison guards, who are already on strike. Tourism chiefs in Paris have warned that the unrest is putting off visitors to one of the world's top destinations.
As well as budget cutbacks, the unions are protesting against changes to working hours and a rise in the retirement age. "The scenes of guerrilla-type action in the middle of Paris, beamed around the world, reinforce the feeling of fear and misunderstanding," the tourist board said.
In France, further transport disruption is likely later in the week as Paris metro staff are due to begin indefinite action on Thursday and Air France pilots have voted to strike over pay. The capital's reputation as a safe destination was already dented by November's deadly attack by militants from the self-styled Islamic State (IS) group, who killed 130 people in gun and bomb attacks.
On Monday, six of France's eight oil refineries were still halted or running at reduced capacity due to union action. Meanwhile, thousands of public sector workers in Belgium are taking part in a 24-hour national strike against budget cuts, changes to working hours and a rise in the retirement age.
Workers at the oil terminal in the northern port of Le Havre, which supplies Paris's two main airports, have voted to extend their blockade until Wednesday. Police officers, teachers and some civil servants are joining train drivers and prison guards already on strike.
A national railway strike is due to get under way in France on Wednesday, according to an announcement by the state rail company SNCF (in French). The Paris Metro is due to go on strike from Thursday.
Six of the country's eight oil refineries are still halted or running at reduced capacity due to union action.
Air France pilots have voted to strike for at least six days in June in a separate dispute over productivity targets.
The labour reform, which is aimed at making the labour market more flexible, was pushed through the lower house of parliament without a vote.
A new national day of action is planned by unions for 14 June, when the bill goes to the Senate.
French labour reform bill - main pointsFrench labour reform bill - main points
The CGT union is leading the action, supported by 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 other unions including Force Ouvriere and Unef, whereas the more moderate CFDT union backs the labour reforms.
The CGT says the reforms will erode job security without bringing down the country's 10% unemployment rate.The CGT says the reforms will erode job security without bringing down the country's 10% unemployment rate.
Prime Minister Manuel Valls - who has suggested the reforms could be "modified" - has cancelled a planned trip to Canada while Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault has said he wants France to remain open for business.
Last week's rallies saw clashes between protesters and police and the Paris tourist board warned that the scenes of violence risked putting off visitors.
"The scenes of guerilla-type action in the middle of Paris, beamed around the world, reinforce the feeling of fear and misunderstanding" after last November's terror attacks which killed 130 people in Paris, it said.
However, 46% of French people remained supportive of the protests despite the disruption to their daily lives, according to a poll on Sunday in the Journal du Dimanche newspaper.
Have you been affected by the strikes? Do you have plans to travel to France in the coming days?Have you been affected by the strikes? Do you have plans to travel to France in the coming days?
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