News / France

France: Paris police fight off protesters in railway rally clashes

Tuesday, 08 May 2018 1:56 AM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 08 May 2018 1:59 AM ]

French anti-riot police officers (CRS) stands guard in front of demonstrators at the Gare du Nord train station, in Paris. (AFP)

A railway workers' strike in Paris saw police forcibly push back protesters who had descended upon Montparnasse railway station on Monday.

Police formed a human barricade at the station's entrance and fought off protesters who sought to take the rally inside.

Similar to other recent demos in Paris, student unions also joined the railway workers to protest French President Emmanuel Macron's labour reforms.

Under his proposed set of reforms, Macron is seeking to diminish the monopoly of French railway system (SNCF) by bringing in more national and international competition.

"We are asking to withdraw the railway pact, that's all. Right now they are negotiating, but we have the experience in the field, we know what we need and what users need," Melanie, a commercial agent from SNCF said.

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