France President Emmanuel Macron is getting ready for the biggest strike ever to hit his administration, the BBC has reported.
Workers in the rail, air traffic, education and public sectors are set to down their tools later on Thursday in order to express their anger at proposed changes to the country's pension system.
The French rail system is expected to be hit especially the hardest with over 80 per cent of drivers downing their tools and 90 per cent of regional trains cancelled.
Those with businesses along the route of the march of the workers have been advised to close their businesses just in case there is an outbreak of violence.
President Macron had promised to review France's pension system during his campaign for office. The government is of the view that the review is crucial so as to ensure that the pensions system remains financially viable.
Renowned sociologist Stewart Chau said that the French workers had grown distrustful of the government's ability to improve the pensions system.
“What’s certain is we’re in a climate of real social tension today, which goes beyond pensions. Our study in Libération found almost unanimity – 89% – of French people thinking we’re living through a social crisis, but also 64% said they felt Macron didn’t understand those social difficulties … That mood of social crisis will hang over this strike action, " Chau was quoted by The Guardian.