LOC18:21
15:21 GMT
PARIS, Jan 24 (KUNA) -- Mass protests sprung across France against the law on pension reform, which will be discussed by the French cabinet in a scheduled session Friday.
Demonstrators in Paris went from the Republic Square towards Place de la Concorde, in preparation for continuing to protest until seven o'clock p.m. local time.
French police closed all roads surrounding the area, causing severe traffic congestion, especially with the closure of major stations on the subway.
In press statements French police said that they harnessed vital material resources in anticipation of possible violence and sabotage, calling on all parties to take responsibility to avoid similar incidents.
Traffic has been witnessing new turbulence since this morning due to the strike of trains, public transports and metros in Paris.
French cabinet will discuss a controversial pension reform bill proposed by French President Emmanuel Macron.
Once the cabinet adopts the bill, it will refer it to parliament.
The government was seeking to merge 42 pension programs into one point-based system, considering it to be more fair and transparent, but unions fear that millions will work because of this for a longer period with less pension compensation.
The strikes called by the trade unions caused turmoil in the transportation networks in major cities for the past weeks. (end)
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