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New nationwide strike hits France
BBC

Hundreds of thousands of French workers are expected to join the country's second nationwide strike in two months.

Unions are protesting against President Nicolas Sarkozy's economic policies. Unemployment has reached two million and is expected to rise further.

Demonstrations are planned in about 200 towns and cities. Schools are to close and public transport faces disruption.

Organisers hope the protest will be bigger than one in January, when more than a million people took part.

The unions are urging the government to do more to protect jobs and wages.

The strikes began on Wednesday evening with staff on transport networks.

The national rail company SNCF predicted that 40% of high-speed trains would be cancelled and up to 60% of local services.

Buses and trains were disrupted on Thursday morning but not as badly as on previous strike days, the BBC's Hugh Schofield in Paris reports.

The Metro rail system in Paris is running normally, he says.

However, the disruption is set to increase as protesters take to the streets for the organised rallies in some 213 towns and cities later.

Many schools and public buildings are staying closed for the day. Hospitals and air travel are expected to be disrupted.

Private-sector workers from the beleaguered car industry, oil and retail sectors are also expected to take part in the protest.

Rising unemployment

Recent polls show three-quarters of French people support the strike.

President Sarkozy unveiled a package of proposals, including tax breaks and social benefits, after January's strike.

But protesters say the 2.4bn euros ($3.2bn; £2.3bn) deal is not enough.

They want him to increase the minimum wage and scrap his plans to cut public-sector jobs.

Many people are angry that big companies like the oil giant Total is making staff redundant while simultaneously announcing record profits, the BBC's Emma Jane Kirby in Paris says.

President Sarkozy said on Wednesday that he "understands the concerns of the French people" but ruled out plans for further measures.

Unemployment is likely to shoot up to 10% in the next 12 months with a further 350,000 lay-offs expected by the end of this year.