France gears up for strikes and protests as unions promise national mobilisation

Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators are expected to take part in marches across France as five unions join strikes and protests in a national day of action.The protests began in September with high school students complaining about poor conditions and resources in education, but have spread to include the so-called "yellow vest" movement and workers.Authorities expect 500,000 to 700,000 demonstrators to join marches, with tens of thousands more in Paris alone, in a day billed by one union leader as "a great day of convergence".The five unions have combined forces across the public and private sector, with demands for higher wages to combat the cost of living and protected public services.Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez has said that 70,000 police and gendarmes are being deployed, vowing "an extremely firm response" to any potential outbreaks of violence.More than 250 separate actions are planned for 5 November, with some disruption reported in schools, hospitals and public transport. Workers have also been asked to halt production at oil refineries, and France is expected to import more electricity than it produces on Thursday because of disruption at nuclear plants.A coalition of unions has urged workers, pensioners and young people to join Thursday's day of strikes to intensify pressure on the government. In particular they are seeking a rise in the minimum wage, or Smic, which is currently €12.31 (£10) an hour.