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| France labour dispute: Dozens arrested in Paris ahead of protest | France labour dispute: Dozens arrested in Paris ahead of protest |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| At least 85 people were arrested in Paris as thousands took part in a protest against France's labour reforms, police said. | |
| Many were carrying objects that could be used as projectiles, according to police, who searched protesters as they arrived at the Place de la Bastille. | Many were carrying objects that could be used as projectiles, according to police, who searched protesters as they arrived at the Place de la Bastille. |
| The march was initially banned but ministers reversed their decision after a public uproar. | The march was initially banned but ministers reversed their decision after a public uproar. |
| The last protest in Paris earlier this month ended in violence. | The last protest in Paris earlier this month ended in violence. |
| Hundreds of masked protesters on 14 June threw paving stones and a children's hospital in central Paris was badly damaged. | Hundreds of masked protesters on 14 June threw paving stones and a children's hospital in central Paris was badly damaged. |
| The protesters object to government reforms that make it easier for employers to hire and fire workers and relax the limit on working hours. | The protesters object to government reforms that make it easier for employers to hire and fire workers and relax the limit on working hours. |
| But French President Francois Hollande said the government would not retreat from the reform. | |
| "We will take this bill to the finish line," he told reporters as demonstrators were gathering in central Paris, where more than 2,000 police officers have been deployed. | |
| Union officials said 60,000 people were at the Paris march, but police said there were 20,000 demonstrators. | |
| Protests were also being held in other French cities, with reports of damage in the north-western city of Rennes. | |
| French labour reform bill - key points: | |
| Does France's workforce really have it easy? |