Sarkozy scraps carbon tax as workers stage mass strikes

FRANCE’S government has put a key carbon tax plan on hold as workers held mass strikes over pensions and jobs, turning up the heat on President Nicolas Sarkozy after an election humiliation.

The government shelved the proposed carbon tax, a day after Sarkozy replaced a top minister in a reshuffle after his UMP party’s defeat in regional elections.

Hundreds of thousands of protesters marched in the streets and teachers, train drivers and other public workers stayed off work to protest job cuts and plans for pension reform.