As French strikes over pension reforms entered seventh day on Monday, the country experienced fuel shortage with more than 1,000 supermarket petrol stations running out of fuel.
A dozen oil refineries and many oil depots in the country have been blockaded by the striking employees since Tuesday, especially in western and southern France, with fuel supply in as many as 1,500 stations affected.
Truck drivers who joined the stir on Sunday are on a go-slow protest on several motorways, including near Lille and Paris.
Tear gas shells were fired at protesting students who set vehicles on fire and attacked the police in Nanterre, near the capital.
Government tried to allay concerns of fuel shortages.
Prime Minister Francois Fillon insisted that he will not allow the "French economy suffer from a supply blockage," while Industry Minister Christian Estrosi claimed that the "government is in control."
The National Assembly, the Lower House of the French Parliament, ratified the pension reform, which proposes raising the retirement age to 62 by 2018.
Trade unions opposed to the Sarkozy government's pension reform plans have called nationwide strikes and demonstrations on Tuesday on the eve of the bill being put to vote in the Upper House, the Senate.
Trade unions say up to three million people have so far joined the anit-pension reforms protests.
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June 05, 2026 16:18 ET A busy week for economic news flow saw a slew of reports being released that reflected the trends in the U.S. labor market. In Europe, economic growth and inflation data gained attention as the European Central Bank and Bank of England head for policy session later in the month. In Asia, the monetary policy session of the Indian central bank was in focus as the country, a major oil importer, reels under the pressures of a weaker rupee and rising inflation.