France is facing a fresh wave of nationwide strikes and demonstrations on Thursday, November 5, as trade unions join forces to demand higher wages, improved public services and better working conditions.
Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to take part in protests across the country, including major demonstrations in Paris, Lyon and Marseille, putting further pressure on President Emmanuel Macron’s government.
The mobilisation brings together five major trade union organisations — CFDT, CGT, FO, UNSA and FSU — which have called on workers in both the public and private sectors, students and retirees to participate.
The unions are demanding higher wages and pensions, increased funding for public services, better employment conditions and greater investment in industry. They have also raised concerns over the rising cost of essential goods and services, arguing that wages and pensions have failed to keep pace with living expenses.
The protests come amid growing discontent over the government’s proposed 2027 budget, which unions say risks weakening public services and worsening economic pressure on households.
Education, transport, healthcare and postal workers are among those expected to participate in the strike, raising the possibility of disruptions to schools, rail services and other public operations.
French authorities have announced the deployment of approximately 70,000 police officers and security personnel across the country to manage the demonstrations and prevent disorder.
The latest mobilisation also comes after weeks of student-led protests over poor learning conditions and inadequate resources in schools. What began as a demonstration over staffing shortages at a high school southeast of Paris has since expanded into a broader movement involving workers and other groups concerned about living costs and public services.
The demonstrations are the latest challenge for Macron’s government, which has faced mounting public pressure over economic conditions and the handling of recent unrest.
