French President Francois Hollande has pledged to press on with unpopular labour reforms, despite nationwide strikes grinding the country to a halt and a fresh wave of industrial action planned this weekend. Speaking at the G7 summit in Japan, Mr Hollande said: "I will keep going because I think these are good reforms," and insisted that the government would do all it could to ensure normal life could resume for most people. He told reporters: "Our primary duty ... is to do everything to maintain the supply of fuel to the public and to continue to provide essential public services." There appears to be little sign of willingness on either side to end the ongoing tug of war any time soon.
A demostrator faces riot police during protests in Lyon Sky's Jonathan Samuels, who is in Paris, said the situation is "only going to get worse as both sides are entrenched" in their positions. Union representatives have reiterated their determination to force a government climbdown, urging workers to "multiply and support" the strikes. They said the "stubbornness" of the government in refusing to withdraw the contested law was only "boosting the determination" of its opponents. A fresh wave of protests is now planned, even as French Prime Minister Manuel Valls agreed to meet oil industry representatives on Saturday. The government and some organisations - including the International Monetary Fund - have said that the labour legislation is a necessary to create jobs. The laws being forced through parliament would make it easier for companies to hire and fire workers, with unions saying the reforms would erode workers' rights while unlikely to tackle unemployment. A total of 12,000 petrol stations across the country are either closed or running low on fuel, with 40% of those in Paris struggling. Unions have also called for a day of industrial action, including strikes on the Paris metro, on 10 June, the first day of the Euro 2016 football tournament. Protests turned ugly in the French capital on Thursday, with masked demonstrators throwing missiles at police, who fired tear gas in return. Nine people were detained after the march, which saw several thousand people gather to demand the proposals be scrapped. The government has resorted to dipping into precious reserves, and nuclear power capacity has been cut because workers have walked out. Queuing at petrol stations has been so bad that the AA in the UK reported calls from Britons stranded on their holidays. Mr Valls has suggested it might be possible that "changes" or "improvements" could be made to the legislation, but insisted that it will not be withdrawn. The increasing pressure on the government comes a year before an election in which Mr Hollande is considering standing again, despite his poll ratings ranking among the lowest for a French leader in modern history.
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