Long-awaited negotiations with striking transport workers began today, the eighth full day of a walkout which has paralysed train services throughout France.

France’s biggest trade unions set a 10-day deadline today for the government to revoke a divisive jobs law, threatening more protests and strikes that have spiralled into a national crisis.

French protesters are aiming to rally at least a million people for nationwide marches and strikes today against an employment law that has plunged the country into crisis.

FRENCH protesters declared themselves on the brink of victory yesterday in their battle against the controversial ‘first employment’ labour law.

French protesters, declaring themselves on the brink of victory, hoped today to rally at least a million people for nationwide marches and strikes against a law – aimed at stemming joblessness – that has plunged the country into crisis.

A POWERFUL union leader threatened France with a general strike yesterday over a contested jobs plan that sparked violent protests in Paris over the weekend.

A powerful union leader threatened France with a general strike today over a contested jobs plan that sparked violent protests in Paris over the weekend.

More than 500,000 students and workers marched in Paris and other French cities today in the biggest show of anger yet at a jobs plan that has led to street violence and threatens to weaken the government.

THE FRENCH government yesterday warned that protracted public sector strikes would have dramatic consequences for the French economy as Paris commuters faced yet another day of scant subway and train services and airlines cancelled flights.