Tens of thousands of people have protested across France against President Francois Hollande's bid to achieve what his conservative predecessor did not even dare try - tamper with the 35-hour working week.
Workers, the unemployed and students joined forces, answering calls from student organisations and unions in more than 200 cities across France to try to kill the Bill, which has even divided Mr Hollande's ruling Socialist party.
According to various unions quoted by local media, between 80,000 and 100,000 people took to the streets in the French capital.
The protests fell on the same day as rail strikes that delayed some suburban and long-distance trains - but not local transportation networks in Paris.
The contested labour reform would amend France's 35-hour working week, approved in 2000 by the Socialists and now a cornerstone of the left. The current Socialist government wants adjustments to reduce France's 10% unemployment rate as the shortened working week was meant to do.
The proposal technically maintains the 35-hour working week, but allows companies to organise alternative working times without following industry-wide deals - up to a 48-hour working week and 12 hours...
