Major French labor unions and student organizations took to the streets again on the 5th (local time) to protest poor public sector services and high living costs.

According to AP, AFP, and Reuters, union strikes protesting the rise in living expenses such as energy costs and demanding wage hikes took place across the country, including the capital Paris, Lyon, Marseille, and Nantes.

The French Ministry of the Interior tentatively estimated that more than 600,000 people participated in the protests nationwide, including Paris, as of 5 p.m. that day.

In three previous large-scale weekend protests, authorities estimated that 550,000, 410,000, and 320,000 people participated, respectively, but even on a weekday (Thursday), more people took to the streets than before.

Earlier, French domestic intelligence agencies projected that 500,000 to 700,000 people would participate in rallies outside Paris.

In addition, the Interior Ministry estimated that 270,000 people had participated before the march began in Paris at around 2 p.m.

The General Confederation of Labour (CGT), the organizer, estimated that 1.6 million people took part.

The CGT described the large-scale protests held in Paris, Marseille, Bordeaux, Lille, and other areas as "unprecedented since 2023."

CGT General Secretary Sophie Binet urged an immediate response from the government, stating, "The longer we wait, the higher the bills go."

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced plans to hold a meeting with labor and employer organizations on the 9th regarding living costs and wages.

High school students also blockaded school entrances and staged protests in various parts of the country that day.

Not only students, but teachers also joined the strikes.

According to the Ministry of Education, 81 out of 3,700 high schools nationwide were blockaded.

However, student organizations estimated that classes were disrupted at more than 1,000 schools, accounting for nearly a third.

Major unions issued a joint statement claiming that France is facing the risk of a recession and that layoff plans are increasing, asserting, "Everything is rising including fuel, food, rent, gas, and electricity, while only wages and pensions are not rising."

During the protests, students and workers demanded improvements from the government, pointing out that operations are failing to run properly across various public sectors including education, healthcare, railways, and postal services.

Specifically, unions are demanding an increase in the minimum hourly wage, which stands at 12.31 euros (approx. 19,000 won).