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| New nationwide strike hits France | New nationwide strike hits France |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Hundreds of thousands of French workers are expected to join the country's second nationwide strike in two months. | Hundreds of thousands of French workers are expected to join the country's second nationwide strike in two months. |
| Unions are protesting against President Nicolas Sarkozy's economic policies. Unemployment has reached two million and is expected to rise further. | Unions are protesting against President Nicolas Sarkozy's economic policies. Unemployment has reached two million and is expected to rise further. |
| Demonstrations are planned in about 200 towns and cities. Schools are to close and public transport faces disruption. | Demonstrations are planned in about 200 towns and cities. Schools are to close and public transport faces disruption. |
| Organisers hope the protest will be bigger than one in January, when more than a million people took part. | Organisers hope the protest will be bigger than one in January, when more than a million people took part. |
| The unions are urging the government to do more to protect jobs and wages. | The unions are urging the government to do more to protect jobs and wages. |
| The strikes began on Wednesday evening with staff on transport networks. | The strikes began on Wednesday evening with staff on transport networks. |
| The national rail operator, SNCF, predicted that 40% of high-speed trains would be cancelled and up to 60% of local services. | |
| Buses and trains were disrupted on Thursday morning but not as badly as on previous strike days, the BBC's Hugh Schofield in Paris reports. | Buses and trains were disrupted on Thursday morning but not as badly as on previous strike days, the BBC's Hugh Schofield in Paris reports. |
| The Metro rail system in Paris is running normally, he says. | The Metro rail system in Paris is running normally, he says. |
| However, the disruption is set to increase as protesters take to the streets for the organised rallies in some 213 towns and cities later. | However, the disruption is set to increase as protesters take to the streets for the organised rallies in some 213 towns and cities later. |
| Many schools and public buildings are staying closed for the day. Hospitals and air travel are also expected to be disrupted. | |
| Private-sector workers from the beleaguered car industry, oil and retail sectors are also expected to take part in the protest. | Private-sector workers from the beleaguered car industry, oil and retail sectors are also expected to take part in the protest. |
| Rising unemployment | Rising unemployment |
| Recent polls show three-quarters of French people support the strike. | Recent polls show three-quarters of French people support the strike. |
| Many commuters on Thursday said they backed the action, but hoped it would be short-lived. | |
| "Fundamentally I agree, but too much is too much," one was quoted as saying. | |
| "There are strikes in the transport sector too often and we have to put up with them." | |
| President Sarkozy unveiled a package of proposals, including tax breaks and social benefits, after January's strike. | President Sarkozy unveiled a package of proposals, including tax breaks and social benefits, after January's strike. |
| But protesters say the 2.4bn euros ($3.2bn; £2.3bn) deal is not enough. | But protesters say the 2.4bn euros ($3.2bn; £2.3bn) deal is not enough. |
| They want him to increase the minimum wage and scrap his plans to cut public-sector jobs. | They want him to increase the minimum wage and scrap his plans to cut public-sector jobs. |
| Many people are angry that big companies like the oil giant Total is making staff redundant while simultaneously announcing record profits, the BBC's Emma Jane Kirby in Paris says. | Many people are angry that big companies like the oil giant Total is making staff redundant while simultaneously announcing record profits, the BBC's Emma Jane Kirby in Paris says. |
| President Sarkozy said on Wednesday that he "understands the concerns of the French people" but ruled out plans for further measures. | President Sarkozy said on Wednesday that he "understands the concerns of the French people" but ruled out plans for further measures. |
| Unemployment is likely to shoot up to 10% in the next 12 months with a further 350,000 lay-offs expected by the end of this year. | Unemployment is likely to shoot up to 10% in the next 12 months with a further 350,000 lay-offs expected by the end of this year. |
| Are you taking part in the French strike? Are you affected by the strike action? Tell us your experiences by using the form below. | Are you taking part in the French strike? Are you affected by the strike action? Tell us your experiences by using the form below. |
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| At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |