Paris, January 2 (RHC)-- Protests against the French government’s plans to overhaul the pension system have reached a new milestone on their 29th day, breaking national records for the longest-ever strike, as demonstrators and police clashed in Paris.

Thursday’s strike action saw protesters block two bus depots in Paris.  Officers dispatched to the protest were filmed spraying what some described as tear gas directly into the faces of some of the demonstrators.  

Tear gas was also reportedly used by police on the streets of the city center where protesters marched on Thursday, some bearing brightly-burning flares, and there were several arrests as riot police and demonstrators clashed. 

Unions began protesting against the pension reform proposals on December 5, 2019, and warned the strikes, which have seriously impacted on the country’s transport services, would continue into the new year unless the Macron government took their concerns about the pension system changes on board.

The previous record for the longest continuous strike in France was 28 days, set by rail workers more than 50 years ago, in 1968.