Riot police use tear gas as French protests take hold

FRANCE: Riot police fired tear gas in Paris and other French cities at demonstrators who set cars on fire and smashed windows during nationwide strikes and street protests against President Emmanuel Macron’s labour reforms.

Hundreds of train journeys and flights to and from airports were cancelled and scores of schools were closed in the first protest against the centrist president that brought together blue-collar and white-collar employees.

Civil servants want better pay and oppose the planned loss of 120,000 jobs by 2022, while employees of the heavily indebted state-run SNCF rail company are fighting government plans to scrap job-for-life guarantees and automatic annual pay rises.

Just under 200,000 demonstrators took to the streets in Paris and more than 150 other cities and towns, according to French media, although the hardline CGT union put the figure at 400,000.

About one in 10 civil servants took part, down from 13 per cent in an October strike against labour reforms, which government sources said was a sign that the unions, who for decades were able to paralyse the country with their protests, might be struggling to gain popular support.

The battle against reforms last year led to a series of protests, but the numbers taking part grew smaller every time, and eventually the reforms went through.

But rail workers turned out in far greater numbers for the latest protests yesterday, halting 60 per cent of high-speed TGV trains and 75 per cent of intercity trains.

The Metro ran normally in the capital, but there was severe disruption for commuters on the suburban lines.

The actions are a likely prelude to three months of rolling strikes threatened by the unions if the government stands firm.

Rail unions are particularly aggrieved at the changes, which include a reduction in retirement age and the cutting of traditional perks such as discounted or free travel for family members.

Striking air traffic controllers forced the cancellation of about 30 per cent of flights to and from Paris airports yesterday.

‘‘We’re here against the government, which is only helping the rich. What this government is doing is simply not OK,’’ said Francoise Rauch, a 65-year old pensioner and a former SNCF employee marching in Paris.

Rauch added that he was also protesting against increases in taxes on pensions.

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PHOTO: AP A man jumps to avoid a police water cannon during a demonstration in Paris. Nationwide strikes caused major disruptions to trains, planes, schools and other public services in France yesterday as unions held dozens of street protests across the country.