Brits warned of new strikes in France that could impact holidays

22 February 2023 , 15:18

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Unions in France are continuing their battle with the government over pension reforms (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

The government has warned British holidaymakers of a fresh wave of strikes in France that threaten to bring the country to a standstill.

In the ongoing battle between unions and the government over pension reforms, industrial action has been planned for March 7.

It follows a national strike last week during half-term and action earlier in the year.

France’s public transport network will be targeted by eight unions coordinating action, French national title Le Monde reports.

Workers are poised to deliver a "black day" on 7 March that will "bring France to a standstill", it has been reported.

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More industrial action is planned for next month (AFP via Getty Images)

"We're going to block everything on March 7. Everything everywhere must stop," Jean-Luc Melenchon, former presidential candidate for the France Unbowed party, said at a march in Montpellier.

The Foreign Office has issued a warning to British holidaymakers heading to France during the walkout.

"Several unions have called for cross-sector strike action and demonstrations across France on Tuesday 7 March," read the updated advice.

"Industrial action may start the evening before a strike day and run until the morning after. Localised or sector-specific strikes could also occur outside these dates. Industrial action may lead to disruption to services.

"Please check the latest advice with operators before travelling, avoid demonstrations and follow the advice of local authorities."

On 16 February, industrial action saw a wide range of transport workers walked out, leading to cancellations to easyJet, Ryanair, Eurostar and British Airways services.

The Foreign Office has issued travel advice for Brits heading to Paris (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

At airports in Toulouse, Marseille, Lyon, Montpellier and Nantes 20% of flights were grounded pre-emptively, while 30% of flights from Paris Orly were cancelled.

It has not yet been announced whether workers will again target airports.

Workers are opposing a planned lifting of the state pension age from 62 to 64.

Polling shows around 70 percent of the public reject Macron's pension reform plans. A petition opposing the reforms has gathered more than one million signatures.

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Milo Boyd