LOC19:33
16:33 GMT
PARIS, Dec 12 (KUNA) -- An eighth day of significant public-sector strikes, combined with protest rallies, hit France Thursday, as unions sought to resist harmonisation and reform of the national pension system Chaos again struck the national and urban transport sectors.
And in Paris at least 10 of the 14 main Metro subways were closed as the RATP transport authority categorically ruled out pension reforms announced by the government on Wednesday.
Bus services were also blocked, either by strikes or by pickets on bus depots. Only 50 percent of the 4,500 Paris area buses were said to be running, the RATP said.
The transport sector, led by Communist CGT union members, has been paralysed since Thursday last week, with only 10 percent of intercity, high-speed trains running most days.
That level rose to 25 percent today, but other services operated by the national carrier SNCF were severely disrupted and running at between 10 percent and 40 percent.
The CGT union has been joined by most other unions in the transport sector but also in certain public-service areas like energy, hospitals, police, education, firemen and intern doctors.
The first power cuts were reported in rural areas Thursday and seven of the nation's eight refineries have been blocked for a week, with the first shortages and dry petrol stations reported during the day.
Road traffic has been catastrophic in major cities like Paris, where around and above 500 km snarls are taking place at rush-hour.
The unions have called for almost daily protests but they urged all workers to strike and demonstrate on December 17, which is being labelled "black Tuesday," because of the disruptions expected.
In the meantime, several unions say they will continue their "unlimited" strike action, which has critically affected commuters, travellers, tourists and businesses.
The disruptions will also have a huge impact on the pre-Christmas shopping period which is generally busy.
Government ministers, speaking on French media on Thursday, said that there is margin for manoeuvre and room to negotiate on its proposals that would increase the retirement age from certain younger workers to
64 instead of 62 to avoid penalties.
Prime Minister Edouard Philippe also said that he wants to dismantle a system of 42 "special regime" retirement systems that benefit from early retirement and other advantages when compared to the general sector.
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