Clashes break out as French strikers demonstrate in Paris

PARIS, March 22 (KUNA) -- Violent clashes broke out on the fringes of a major demonstration by railway workers and civil servants Thursday in Paris, media and police sources said.
Riot police fought with youths on the fringes of the protest march near the Bastille Place district of the city, where the demonstration is to end.
Union sources from the communist Workers Confederation (CGT) said in a statement that around 25,000 marchers joined their protest, but police generally give a lower figure for the gathering.
The SNCF national rail carrier said that strike levels among staff were close to 35 percent on Thursday.
Train services were severely disrupted and between 25 percent and 40 percent of services were only being provided.
Airports were also hit as traffic controllers called for a strike and 30 percent of flights in and out of Paris were cancelled, with disruptions and delays to others. Long-haul flights were least affected by the stoppage.
Rail unions are also threatening to strike two days a week from April 1, if their objections to reforms are not heard.
The clashes at the end of the demonstration were believed instigated by marginal youths and anarchists, unconnected to the strikers, and police reports from the Paris Prefecture said windows were broken and police were pelted with rocks and other objects.
"France Info" radio said that police fired tear gas and used baton charges against the dozens of rioters.
The strike and protest by railway workers comes after the government announced deep reforms of the state-owned rail sector, which has accumulated debts of Euros 50 billion (USD 61.5 billion). The reforms include status changes and the end to early retirement for new workers and operational revamping of management and work practices.
The civil servants' protest is for more pay and better working conditions and also against a plan to reduce the size of the civil service sector by around 130,000. School teachers, administration staff and hospital workers were among those walking off the job, but the Education Ministry said only 25 percent of teachers were absent Thursday.
Parallel protest marchers also took place in a number of other French cities, where thousands marched against the government reforms which are championed by President Emmanuel Macron, who says he wants to inject dynamism into the economy and reduce the State sector. (end) jk.rk