Hundreds of thousands of people have taken to the streets of France to protest against government plans to raise the retirement age.
The pension reform bill, which raises the retirement age from 60 to 62, has already been passed by France's lower house.
French president Nicolas Sarkozy says the reforms are needed to tackle the country's budget deficit and to help support an aging population.
But unions have turned out in force, and much of the country's public transport has been closed down.
Olivier Sekai from the CGT trade union says workers are not ready to give up their social provisions
"Indeed we live longer but we do work hard and we don't want to spend our pension in hospital or dying," he said.
"I mean the idea is to benefit and enjoy your pension as well."
The bill will be debated in the senate next month.
