France braced for nationwide strike

French police today promised increased surveillance on the country’s rail network before nationwide strikes and protests against the government’s new youth employment law.

As police prepared for trouble during tomorrow’s protest marches, Prime inister Dominique de Villepin and opponents entered a crucial week in their stand-off over the measure, which would make it easier to fire young people.

Widespread disruption to train, plane and subway traffic were expected.

A day before the demonstrations, two cars were set on fire during a protest in front of a high school in Seine Saint Denis, police said.

The suburban Paris region was the focal point of autumn unrest that spread across France.

Unions for national trains operator SNCF urged rank-and-file workers to walk off the job starting this evening.

The one-day strike was expected to swell to full force as other unions join in tomorrow, when an estimated 200 demonstrations were expected across the country, with the largest winding through Paris.

Most protests in the capital have turned violent.

The week was shaping up as a critical test for Villepin, who has refused demands to withdraw the labour law, which he insists is needed to bring down sky-high youth unemployment rates.

Many opponents fear it will damage coveted job security in France.

Labour and student groups vowed to press ahead with the strike and more protests unless the government cancels the law, which has sparked violent clashes with police and shut down universities.

The dispute could weigh on France’s presidential elections next year. Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy, who heads Villepin’s conservative party and is seen as a potential contender, was making a major political speech Monday evening as he distanced himself from the crisis.

Sixty-three percent of respondents in a poll published today in the daily Le Monde said they disagreed with Villepin’s decision to press on with the “first job contract” – and 59% faulted his government for the impasse.

The law would let companies dismiss workers under 26 without cause during their first two years on the job – a provision the government hoped would make it easier for employers to hire younger workers.

Paris police said regional and commuter rail networks will be under “increased surveillance” tomorrow and that “preventive identity checks of individuals susceptible of participating in violence” would be authorised.

Most Air France unions are taking part in the strike. The civil aviation authority said some flights were likely to be cancelled.

In Paris, half of subway trains were expected to run, while greater disruptions were expected on suburban commuter lines, the RATP transport authority said.