In Pics | French unions protest against pension reform law

Protesters held signs during a demonstration on the 14th day of action after the French government pushed a pension reform law through parliament without a vote. The French government used article 49.3 of the Constitution to push forward the reform law. 

Trade unions have fought the new pension reform law which would increase the retirement age of workers by two years. Several protests have been organised by unions to express their dissatisfaction. 

Some banners read "No retirement, No Olympics".  

Some protesters even threatened to disrupt next summer's Olympics if the reform law is not withdrawn.

French President Macron considers it necessary to increase the legal retirement age by two years to 64 to plug a widening pension deficit. However, trade unions say the money can be found elsewhere, such as by taxing the wealthy more.

A protester threw a stone at the French anti-riot police during the protest. The demonstrations were held to express their dissatisfaction with the new pension reform law. 

Protesters ran away as the French anti-riot police used tear gas to disperse the crowd.

Around 11,000 police were deployed, including 4,000 in Paris, on Tuesday, June 6. Several flights were cancelled. Disruption to rail travel was light. However, as protesters and riot police clashed in western France, fuel deliveries were blocked from leaving TotalEnergies' Donges site, near Nantes. 

On Thursday, June  8, an opposition-sponsored motion aimed at cancelling the minimum pension age increase will be reviewed by the Parliament. It is expected to be rejected by the speaker of the lower house, a member of Macron's party. However, unions hope a big protest would put pressure on lawmakers and force them into reviewing the reform law.