France labour dispute: Hollande digs in as rail strike looms

President Francois Hollande of France has insisted that a controversial labour reform will not be withdrawn as strike action looms on the railways.

"The text assures the best performance for businesses and offers new rights to employees," he told a newspaper, BBC reports.

Protesters clashed with police last week during marches against the bill, which makes hiring and firing easier. There are concerns the Euro 2016 football championships, which France hosts next week, may be disrupted.

Tourism chiefs in Paris have warned that the unrest is putting off visitors to one of the world's top destinations. "The scenes of guerrilla-type action in the middle of Paris, beamed around the world, reinforce the feeling of fear and misunderstanding," the tourist board said.

The capital's reputation as a safe destination was already dented by November's deadly attack by militants from the self-styled Islamic State (IS) group, who killed 130 people in gun and bomb attacks.

Meanwhile, thousands of public sector workers in Belgium are taking part in a 24-hour national strike against budget cuts, changes to working hours and a rise in the retirement age.

Police officers, teachers and some civil servants are joining train drivers and prison guards already on strike.