Angry protesters took to the streets in Paris on Friday to oppose French President Emmanuel Macron and to denounce the retirement age increase that was being imposed without a vote
On Thursday night, security forces evacuated the area with water cannons to drive away the protesters.
Paris garbage collectors extended their strike for a 12th day, with piles of foul-smelling rubbish growing daily in the French capital.
It was reported by the Minister of the Interior that 310 people were arrested, mostly in Paris.
Macron's plan is to employ the French for two more years until they are 64 before they receive full pensions.
“We are not going to stop,” CGT union representative Régis Vieceli told The Associated Press on Friday. He said overwhelming the streets with discontent and refusing to continue working is “the only way that we will get them to back down.”
Macron believes the reform will make the French economy more competitive. He made the proposed retirement changes the main priority of the second term.
Macron's conservative allies in the Senate passed the bill. However, seeing the risk that he will fall behind the majority in parliament on Thursday, the constitution's 49-3. decided to apply for the article.