Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


             France Engulfed in Strikes, Protests over Labor Reform

   by VOA News

   Tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of France
   Thursday for a one-day nationwide strike protesting a government labor
   reform proposal that would make it easier for employers to hire and
   fire workers and weakens the power of unions.

   Several thousand people shouting anti-government slogans marched
   largely peacefully through Paris Thursday, demanding that the
   government reverse the labor bill. Government sources said nine people
   were detained for property damage and police encountered some minor
   violence by protesters.

   The situation has been particularly tense in the French port city of Le
   Havre, where workers are blocking one of the country's main oil
   terminals. Thousands of dock workers poured into the square in front of
   city hall Thursday, setting off smoke bombs throughout the area.
   Meanwhile, at least 11 of France's 58 nuclear power plants were hit
   with unplanned outages when workers joined the strikes.

   Trade union members were seen slowing traffic at the Gravelines Nuclear
   Power Station, handing out leaflets and encouraging drivers to join the
   strike.

   The Gravelines facility is the sixth largest nuclear plant in the
   world, the second largest in Europe and the largest in Western Europe.
   As union activists disrupted fuel supplies, trains and nuclear plants
   around the country, French Transport Minister Alain Vidalies played
   down concerns that strikes would lead to blackouts, saying France could
   import electricity if needed.

   French Prime Minister Manuel Valls suggested possible "changes" or
   "improvements" to the labor bill that has sparked intensifying strikes
   and protests, but insisted the government will not abandon it.

   Some material for this report came from AP, AFP and Reuters.
     __________________________________________________________________

   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/france-engulfed-in-strikes-and-protes
   ts-over-labor-reform/3347134.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/france-engulfed-in-strikes-and-protests-over-labor-reform/3347134.html