FRENCH union and student leaders, emboldened by a million-strong march and nationwide strike, yesterday called for a new day of action next Tuesday to increase pressure on the government to withdraw a contested new job contract for youths.

French unions and student groups today called a national day of strikes for March 28 to protest a youth jobs plan that has already provoked massive street demonstrations and paralysed many universities.

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.