France workers stage nationwide strike and march for 'dignified wage'

Hundreds of thousands of protestors are taking part in major demonstrations across France on Thursday, as the country braces against a nationwide strike day involving trade unions, the yellow vest movement, students and workers from various sectors.

The mobilisation comes a day after French lawmakers rejected the first part of the 2027 budget bill, in a unified consensus across party lines. The government's original budget proposal will now go before the Senate, with a vote scheduled for 9 December.

A parliamentary committee will then attempt to broker a compromise before the legislation returns to the National Assembly.

France has faced weeks of protests, sparked by students demonstrations which began in mid-September against overcrowded classrooms, teacher shortages and problems with university admissions.

The movement has since broadened in scope, with trade unions backing students' grievances and taking to the streets to march against the cost of living crisis and rising fuel prices.