Workers strike across France, hundreds of thousands expected to protest

Demonstrators are demanding an increase in the minimum wage and higher salaries for all workers, among other reforms.Published On 5 Nov 20265 Nov 2026Workers across France have gone on strike following calls by trade unions, with hundreds of thousands of people expected to take to the streets.Protesters gathered in the southern cities of Marseille and Lyon, as well as in the western city of Nantes, on Thursday morning. A rally in Paris is scheduled to begin at 13:00 GMT.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Danish students join European protest wave against education funding cutslist 2 of 3France opens ‘attempted murder’ probe into petrol bomb attacks on policelist 3 of 3Student protests resume in France as pupils return to schoolend of listAhead of the demonstrations, President Emmanuel Macron convened a defence and security meeting on Wednesday to “ensure public order.”France has seen regular protests since September, when students began demonstrating against poor conditions at public high schools. The rallies have since expanded to encompass a host of grievances linked to the rising cost of living.Those striking on Thursday are demanding an increase in the minimum wage, ...