French unions staged a fourth day of national protests against President Emmanuel Macron’s pension reforms with polls suggesting that public patience over a record 36-day public sector strike is wearing thin.
Tens of thousands of teachers, train drivers and other public sector workers marched in cities across France as hard-Left unions disrupted metro and overground services and cut power output in a bid to force the government to scrap the overhaul.
Towards the end of the day, police began using tear gas in the French capital as tensions heightened with demonstrators.
Protesters hold a banner reading ‘People want the withdrawal of the reform’ during a demonstration against pension reforms in Paris, France, 09 January 2020. Unions representing railway and transport workers and many others in the public sector have called for a 36th day of consecutive general strike and demonstration to protest against French government’s reform of the pension system. EPA-EFE/YOAN VALAT
The day of national action comes just two days after unions and the government restarted negotiations.
Flights and maritime transport could also be delayed or cancelled as unions representing air traffic controllers and port workers have joined the strike while some unions have also called for blockade operations at refineries.
As well as Paris, there were protests planned in Lyon, Toulouse, Bordeaux, Lille and Rennes and unions have already called for another day of action on Saturday, January 11.
