Unions want Sarkozy to protect jobs

More than one million protesters took part, with tens of thousands of youths, retirees and unemployed people marching across towns and cities, police said.

The powerful CGT - one of eight unions that called the one-day "black Thursday" strike - claimed that 2.5 million people took part.

Both estimates would make it the largest collective protest in France since 2006, when students angered by a jobs reform plan weakened a previous government.

Mr Sarkozy, clearly considering the potential impact on his administration and reforms, announced plans to meet union bosses in February. The global crisis, his office said, has triggered "legitimate worries".

"This protest is for everyone. I have children, so this is for the future," said Pierrette Gueguen, 58, a car factory worker who lost her job last year.

"I hope this will be a starting point for change in 2009 and all the days, weeks and months to come," said Mrs Gueguen, one of tens of thousands people gathering at the Place de la Bastille at the start of the Paris march.

Economic growth in 2009 is expected to be close to zero in France, with unemployment - now at 7.7% - below the double-digit figures of 10 years ago but rising at the fastest rate in 15 years. Consumer spending has plunged.

Sarkozy recently announced a 26 billion euro stimulus plan, but the unions believe it is not enough. The rival Socialist Party says twice that is needed.

The strikers were demanding better job security, higher salaries and purchasing power, and more say about Sarkozy's economic reforms.