Thousands in France march to protest Macron's labour law

Tens of thousands of protesters marched in Paris and other French cities against President Emmanuel Macron's contested labour law reforms - a day before he adopts them by executive order.

The nationwide action, backed by the powerful, hard-left CGT trade union, saw protesters take to the streets in the second round of public opposition to the long-touted changes that will give more power to employers to hire and fire workers.

Macron says that's needed to power the stagnant French economy and boost jobs.

In cities across the country, demonstrators waved anti-capitalist placards and angry personal messages against Macron, whose popularity has recently taken a hit.

In Paris, huge crowds turned out to a protest that police said was attended by 16,000 people, whilst organisers put the figure at 55,000.

That protest was largely peaceful, but som brief scuffles broke out between a few dozen violent protesters wearing black hoods and riot police using tear gas.