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French protesters threw rocks and Molotov cocktails at police as riots broke out across the country over employment reforms.

Demonstrators were objecting after the country’s Socialist government tries to force pro-business labour reforms through Parliament.

But tens of thousands took part in demonstrations, saying France would become a nation of workers on short-term contracts, with next to no security, if the changes are approved.

The unemployment rate is currently well above 10%, and protesters say small businesses are regularly shutting down.

But the government has proposed reforms that will make it easier for businesses to hire and fire - giving them more confidence to create jobs.

(Image: REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes)

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Anarchists and hard left students dressed in black, and waiving Marxist flags also joined in on the protests, which were captured on film .

(Image: REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes) (Image: JOEL SAGET/AFP/Getty Images)

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Socialist Party offices were among the buildings targeted, with left-wing objectors accusing politicians of being "traitors to their class".

(Image: JOEL SAGET/AFP/Getty Images)

A masked demonstrator in the French capital who asked to be referred to as Gilles said: "They have let us down in the most disgraceful way possible.

"What they are doing is not democratic – that is why we have to fight them out on the streets."

(Image: JOEL SAGET/AFP/Getty Images) (Image: REUTERS/Stephane Mahe)

As Prime Minister Manuel Valls braced himself for a vote of no confidence on the reforms, he insisted they were vital in battling economic failure.

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(Image: REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes)

President Francois Hollande claims that a simplification of working practices would be good ‘for both workers and employers’ and ‘help France to advance’ within the global economy.

But many fellow Socialists oppose the reforms, and they have been joined by militant trade unionists in weeks of protest.

(Image: JOEL SAGET/AFP/Getty Images)

When 50 Socialist MPs tried to block the reforms in the National Assembly, Mr Hollande and Mr Valls resorted to a government decree to try and get the measures through.

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(Image: PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/Getty Images)

Thus opponents can only block the reforms if they win a no confidence vote against the government.