French President Francois Hollande insists he will not back down over labour market reforms as trade unions threaten to escalate their protests.Many oil depots and refineries remain under union blockade. Shortages have caused long queues at petrol stations.
"I will stay the course because I think these are good reforms," Mr Hollande said. However, Prime Minister Manuel Valls has signalled that the reform package could be modified.
Thursday saw many protest rallies.
"Continue and step up the actions," eight unions said in a joint call after the day of action.
On Thursday, 77 protesters were arrested and 15 police officers injured in clashes, though the union demonstrations were mainly peaceful.
Newspapers have reappeared after the CGT union stopped the presses of all but the pro-communist L'Humanite yesterday, when they refused to run an opinion piece by CGT leader Philippe Martinez.
The BBC's Hugh Schofield in Paris says fuel supplies are now reaching petrol stations, but the unions are in no mood to ease off the protests.
The wave of opposition is a major challenge for the Socialist government, which does not want to alienate many of its natural voters.
The French TF1 news network says police have started dismantling protesters' roadblocks at the Donges oil depot in western France.
Petrol shortages are a particular problem in and around Paris and in southeastern France, TF1 reports.
Speaking on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Japan, President Hollande said: "Our primary duty... is to do everything to maintain the supply of fuel to the public and to continue to provide essential public services".
The CGT union is leading the action, supported by other unions including Force Ouvriere and Unef, whereas the more moderate CFDT union backs the labour reforms.
One of the most controversial elements of the reform is Article Two, giving employers the right to negotiate changes to staff working time. Mr Valls said the article would not be amended.
Airport authorities say they have four to six days of fuel reserves left, but airlines have been asked not to fully refuel jets in France.
The request means a jet on a Paris-London return flight would refuel in London.
Fuel shortages are affecting about 20% of France's petrol stations, TF1 reports. Oil industry managers say they have deployed extra tanker crews, who will fill up in Belgium and Germany if necessary.
France is due to host the Euro 2016 football championships next month.
However, on 14 June, when French senators begin discussing the reform package, the unions plan to stage a "powerful national demonstration" in Paris.
They said some 300,000 people took part in protest marches on Thursday, whereas the authorities put the total at 153,000.
French labour reform bill - main points
The 35-hour week remains in place, but as an average. Firms can negotiate with local trade unions on more or fewer hours from week to week, up to a maximum of 46 hours.
Firms are given greater freedom to reduce pay
The law eases conditions for laying off workers, strongly regulated in France.
It is hoped companies will take on more people if they know they can shed jobs in case of a downturn.
Employers given more leeway to negotiate holidays and special leave, such as maternity or for getting married. These are currently also heavily regulated
"I will stay the course because I think these are good reforms," Mr Hollande said. However, Prime Minister Manuel Valls has signalled that the reform package could be modified.
Thursday saw many protest rallies.
"Continue and step up the actions," eight unions said in a joint call after the day of action.
On Thursday, 77 protesters were arrested and 15 police officers injured in clashes, though the union demonstrations were mainly peaceful.
Newspapers have reappeared after the CGT union stopped the presses of all but the pro-communist L'Humanite yesterday, when they refused to run an opinion piece by CGT leader Philippe Martinez.
The BBC's Hugh Schofield in Paris says fuel supplies are now reaching petrol stations, but the unions are in no mood to ease off the protests.
The wave of opposition is a major challenge for the Socialist government, which does not want to alienate many of its natural voters.
The French TF1 news network says police have started dismantling protesters' roadblocks at the Donges oil depot in western France.
Petrol shortages are a particular problem in and around Paris and in southeastern France, TF1 reports.
Speaking on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Japan, President Hollande said: "Our primary duty... is to do everything to maintain the supply of fuel to the public and to continue to provide essential public services".
The CGT union is leading the action, supported by other unions including Force Ouvriere and Unef, whereas the more moderate CFDT union backs the labour reforms.
One of the most controversial elements of the reform is Article Two, giving employers the right to negotiate changes to staff working time. Mr Valls said the article would not be amended.
Airport authorities say they have four to six days of fuel reserves left, but airlines have been asked not to fully refuel jets in France.
The request means a jet on a Paris-London return flight would refuel in London.
Fuel shortages are affecting about 20% of France's petrol stations, TF1 reports. Oil industry managers say they have deployed extra tanker crews, who will fill up in Belgium and Germany if necessary.
France is due to host the Euro 2016 football championships next month.
However, on 14 June, when French senators begin discussing the reform package, the unions plan to stage a "powerful national demonstration" in Paris.
They said some 300,000 people took part in protest marches on Thursday, whereas the authorities put the total at 153,000.
French labour reform bill - main points
The 35-hour week remains in place, but as an average. Firms can negotiate with local trade unions on more or fewer hours from week to week, up to a maximum of 46 hours.
Firms are given greater freedom to reduce pay
The law eases conditions for laying off workers, strongly regulated in France.
It is hoped companies will take on more people if they know they can shed jobs in case of a downturn.
Employers given more leeway to negotiate holidays and special leave, such as maternity or for getting married. These are currently also heavily regulated
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