France labour reform: Police tear gas protesters in Paris

Twenty-four policemen were injured in demonstrations across France on 28 April. The protests were against a labour reform bill which would make it easier for bosses to hire and fire. Three members of the security forces were gravely injured in Paris, one of whom was in a serious condition, the French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said.

Police arrested 124 people across France, bringing the total number of arrests carried out since demonstrations against the controversial bill began last month to 382. Police said 15,000 people demonstrated in the capital alone. Riot police used tear gas to disperse protesters throwing projectiles in Paris.

Sporadic strikes and protests disrupted commuter travel and led to the cancellation of flights at Orly Airport south of Paris on 28 April, as trade unions and students demanded that the French government ditch the proposed reforms. Union leaders sought to maintain the momentum of a movement that has staged four separate nationwide days of protest.