For the first time in 10 years all of France's public sector unions have brought their members out on strike.
For the first time in a decade every single civil service union in France has called on its members to strike this Tuesday.
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The strike is expected to mobilise many of the more than five million civil servants in schools, creches, emergency services and transport operators.
The strikes are to protest against a proposed public sector wages freeze and job cuts that the government wants to impose across the board. In some cases even a minimum service may not be guaranteed.
President Emmanuel Macron is forcing labour law reforms through parliament by executive order, a method reducing parliament’s role in lawmaking, which many organisations, political parties and pressure groups have criticised.
More than 130 demonstrations are expected nationwide, representing some 20% of the national workforce. A Harris poll says the strike has 57% support among the French public.