Oil refineries and nuclear power plants have shut down due to mass strikes, staged by the trade unions. Planes and trains have also ground to a halt.

Fresh protests is helding in Paris in the latest bout of social unrest that started three months ago and has frequently turned violent.

The draft law on labor reform has been widely criticized in France as it would make it easier for companies to lay off staff and cut payment for overtime work. Labor union rallies intensified after the government resorted to pushing through with the reform bypassing a parliamentary vote earlier this month.