Arabic version: فرنسا تستعد لإضرابات واحتجاجات على مستوى البلاد

According to BBC News, hundreds of thousands of people are expected to join marches across France as five unions combine strikes and protests in a national day of action. Authorities expect between 500,000 and 700,000 demonstrators, including tens of thousands in Paris.

The protests began in September, when high school students raised concerns about poor conditions and resources in education. The movement has since expanded to include workers and the so-called “yellow vest” movement. Unions representing public- and private-sector workers are seeking higher wages to address the cost of living and protection for public services.

More than 250 separate actions are planned for 5 November. Disruption has been reported in schools, hospitals and public transport, while workers have been urged to halt production at oil refineries. France is also expected to import more electricity than it produces on Thursday because of disruption at nuclear plants. The unions are calling for an increase in the minimum wage, or Smic, currently set at €12.31 (£10) an hour.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said 70,000 police and gendarmes would be deployed and promised an “extremely firm response” to possible violence. Paris’s march is due to run from Place de la République to Place de la Nation after the unions’ preferred route was rejected. Union leaders said recent marches had been kept away from central Paris following violence, looting and fires on 17 October.

The government has released 10 million barrels of diesel from strategic reserves to reduce fuel costs. Ministers have also promised students reforms to the Parcoursup university admissions platform, with replacement planned by 2028. CFDT leader Marylise Léon said unions wanted a net monthly increase of €100, while Sophie Binet described the action as “a great day of convergence.”