Protesters marched across France on Wednesday in a last-chance attempt to persuade lawmakers not to support President Emmanuel Macron's pension reform bill, which raises the retirement age by two years to 64.
The protests have attracted millions since mid-January, and strikes have disrupted the transport and energy sectors and piled up garbage on the streets of Paris.
Protesters marched on Wednesday carrying banners reading "No to extension to 64 years" or union banners with slogans such as "Public and private sectors together for our pensions".
Laurent Berget, president of the French Democratic Confederation of Labour, France's largest trade union, told a crowd of protesters in Paris: "Lawmakers have to look at what is happening in their constituencies."
He added that this new day of protests "aims to say to lawmakers: don't support this reform."
Despite the criticism, Macron is continuing his project. The retirement bill was presented to a joint parliamentary committee on Wednesday as lawmakers in France's National Assembly, both the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, seek a consensus text.
The Committee had already approved the article raising the retirement age. If agreement is reached on the entire bill, a final ballot will be held in both houses of parliament on Thursday, with ruling party officials admitting the difference between supporters and opponents is small.
Risk-taking
Macron's camp lacks an absolute majority and will rely on the support of the conservative Republicans Party, although it is divided on the issue.
Macron, who was re-elected president in April 2022, is risking a large part of his political capital on this text, which according to the government aims to respond to the financial deterioration in pension funds and an aging population.
If the text of the legislation does not receive a comfortable majority, the government may resort to a procedure known as Article 49.3, which allows it to pass the text without a vote, but risks outrage in the streets.
Macron and his government say an overhaul of the pension system, among the most generous in industrialized nations, is necessary to keep the pension budget in a safe range.
Opinion polls have shown the vast majority of voters reject the reform, and protesters and unions have warned the government to be heard.
Asked if they would stop protests and strikes if the bill was approved, Felipe Martinez, president of the General Confederation of Labour (CGT), said: "We will continue to fight no matter what."