French workers stage mass strikes

HUNDREDS of thousands of strikers marched through French cities yesterday to demand pay rises and protection for jobs, challenging President Nicolas Sarkozy to do more for workers.

The streets filled with flag-waving protesters, but the one-day strike failed to paralyse the country and support from private sector workers appeared limited.

After dark, as Paris crowds thinned, some protesters clashed with police, throwing bottles, overturning cars and starting a fire in the street, but no major violence was reported.