France braces for nationwide strikes over plan to raise retirement age

Protesters march during a demonstration against a reform aimed at raising the minimum retirement age from 62 to 64, in Lille, northern France (Michel Spingler/AP)

Rubbish collectors, utility workers and train drivers are among those taking strike action across France to show their anger at a bill raising the retirement age to 64.

More than 250 protests are expected in Paris and around the country in what organisers hope is their biggest show of force yet against President Emmanuel Macron’s legislation, after nearly two months of demonstrations.