New France shutdown on sixth day of pension protests
PARIS. October 19. KAZINFORM France is enduring a sixth national day of strikes and protests over plans to reform the country's pension system; Kazinform refers to BBC.
Mass marches are planned across France while strikes disrupt air travel, trains and schools, and an ongoing refinery blockade hits oil supplies.
The government wants to raise the retirement age from 60 to 62 and the full state pension age from 65 to 67.
President Nicolas Sarkozy insists he will press ahead with pension reforms despite the growing strike movement.
Mr Sarkozy says reform is "essential" and "France is committed to it".
But with the Senate due for a final vote this week, protests are planned in more than 200 towns and cities.
The plans are widely unpopular with the public and protests on Monday turned violent in some areas.
Left-wing senators have submitted hundreds amendments in an attempt to delay the vote. The bill was initially expected to be passed on Wednesday, but some reports say the debate could last until the weekend; Kazinform cites BBC.
See www.bbc.co.uk for full version