Violence broke out across regions of France after thousands of people filled the streets in protest against the disputed labour reforms on Thursday, 28 April, 2016.
The law, proposed by the French government, would make the process of hiring and firing easier in a country where labour protection is sacrosanct and unemployment is currently above 10 percent. If such reforms were introduced, they could be classed a serious attack on the social rights of many French citizens.
French riot police officers (CRS) face protestors during clashes during a demonstration against the French labour law proposal in Paris.Charles Platiau/ Reuters
Riot police were summoned to areas in the country's main cities, such as Marseille, Nantes, Paris and Lyon where they used tear gas against the masked demonstrators. 27 people were arrested in Paris, after storming Place de la Republique square at night, while the Nuit Debout (Up All Night) movement stood in protest. Over 124 arrests were made throughout the country, with the total number of arrests carried out since demonstrations against the controversial bill began, in March, to 382.
French labour union workers and students attend a demonstration against the French labour law proposal in Paris.Charles Platiau/ ReutersDemonstrators burn smoke bombs during a protest against the government's planned labour reforms in Marseille.Bertrand Langlois/ AFPFrench riot police arrest a man during a demonstration against the French government's proposed labour reforms in Lyon.Philippe Desmazes/ AFP
France has seen a series of strikes and protests take place against the labour reform bill over the past month. Over 30 cities across the country have seen workers and students demonstrating against the new law coming into action.
The French government has condemned the violence, but - with just a year to go until the country's elections - it seems keen so far to waive the blanket curfew option it has under the state of emergency system. The bill will be debated next week in France's lower house of parliament.
French labour union workers attend a demonstration against the French labour law proposal in Marseille.Jean-Paul Pelissier/ ReutersA protester usse a slingshot against anti-riot policemen (not pictured) during clashes with some protesters within a demonstration against the French government's proposed labour reforms in Nantes.Loic Venance/ AFPAn injured man lies on the ground next to French anti-riot police, following clashes during a demonstration against the French government's proposed labour reforms in Paris.Alain Jocard/ AFPFrench high school students shout slogans as they attend a demonstration against the French labour law proposal in Marseille.Jean-Paul Pelissier/ ReutersDressed actors hold a placards with the employer's body MEDEF union logo as they demonstrate in support of temporary arts workers, known as "intermittents" in Paris.Charles Platiau/ ReutersA young man throws a projectile at anti-riot police (not pictured) during clashes within a demonstration against the French government's proposed labour reforms in Nantes.Loic Venance/ AFPA protester kicks a tear gas canister back to anti-riot police (not pictured) during clashes within a demonstration against the French government's proposed labour reforms in Nantes.Loic Venance/ AFPPeople clash with riot police during a demonstration against the French government's proposed labour reforms in Lyon.Philippe Desmazes/ AFPA photographer runs away from a torched sports car during a demonstration against the French labour law proposal in Nante.Stephane Mahe/ ReutersA cloud of tear gas is seen around the statue of the Place de la Nation, during clashes between youths and police during a demonstration against the French labour law proposal in Paris.Philippe Wojazer/ ReutersA man holds a placard reading 'Riot police, kisses on your butt' during a demonstration against the French government's proposed labour reforms in Lille.Loic Venance/ AFPA masked youth sits on a garbage bin during a demonstration against the French labour law proposal in Paris.Philippe Wojazer/ ReutersPeople demonstrate against the French government's proposed labour reforms in front of members of the riot police in Lille.Philippe Huguen/ AFPProtestors wearing clown's red nose, demonstrate against the French government's proposed labour reforms in Paris.Alain Jocard/ AFPPeople hold banners reading 'Medef, pay your taxes' (L) and 'Do we make a revolution now ?' during a demonstration against the French government's proposed labour reforms in Lille.Philippe Huguen/ AFPFrench anti-riot police officers stand through smoke during clashes with protestors on the Place de la Nation in Paris, during a protest against the French government's proposed labour reforms.Alain Jocard/ AFPAn anti-riot policeman stands near a flare stick thrown at him by protesters, during clashes within a demonstration against the French government's proposed labour reforms in Nantes.Loic Venance/ AFPPeople clash with riot police during a demonstration against the French government's proposed labour reforms on April 28, 2016 in Lyon.Philippe Desmazes/ AFPA sticker on a demonstrator's leg reading 'I class struggle' during a protest against the government's planned labour reforms in Toulouse.Remy Gabalda/ AFPFrench riot police arrest a man during a demonstration against the French government's proposed labour reforms in Lyon.Philippe Desmazes/ AFPA demonstrator holds a banner reading 'Simply unhappy' as she protests against the government's planned labour reforms in Toulouse.Remy Gabalda/ AFPA woman waves before anti-riot policemen during clashes within a demonstration against the French government's proposed labour reforms in Nantes.Loic Venance/ AFPPeole demonstrate against the French government's proposed labour reforms in Lyon.Philippe Desmazes/ AFPA man uses a stick during clashes with anti-riot police within a demonstration against the French government's proposed labour reforms in Nantes.Loic Venance/ AFPA French anti-riot police officer protects himself from smoke grenades during clashes with protesters during a demonstration against the French government's proposed labour reforms in Paris.Dominique Faget/ AFPA car burns during clashes within a demonstration against the French government's proposed labour reforms in Nantes.Loic Venance/ AFPFirefighters extinguish a burning car as French Gendarmerie clear the Place de la Republique in Paris during a protest by the Nuit Debout, or 'Up All Night' movement who have been rallying against the French government's proposed labour reforms.Joel Saget/ AFPA car burns as French Gendarmerie clear the Place de la Republique during a protest by the Nuit Debout, or 'Up All Night' movement who have been rallying against the French government's proposed labour reforms.Joel Saget/ AFPA vehicle burns as French Gendarmerie clear the Place de la Republique during a protest by the Nuit Debout, or 'Up All Night' movement who have been rallying against the French government's proposed labour reforms.Joel Saget/ AFPThe bronze statue of Marianne is pictured on Place de la Republique during the Nuit Debout, or 'Up All Night' movement on Place de la Republique in Paris.Alain Jocard/ AFP
