FRANCE: Unions estimate around 2.5 million people took part in general strikes across France on January 29, 2009.

Metalworkers joined teachers, hospital, postal, bank and airport workers along with students, pensioners and the general public in the strikes right across the country.

The strikes were called as unions voice increasing concerns over the French Government's failure to adequately protect workers from the impacts of the global financial crisis.

President Nicolas Sarkozy has been heavily criticized for his decisions to bail out banks and industry without offering more support for workers.

Unions are calling on the President to take action to stem retrenchments, boost wages and end public sector cutbacks.

La CGT Metallurgie demanded that the Government act immediately to assist workers during the economic crisis, including measures to ensure salaries keep pace with the rising cost of living in France.

"The president is taking workers for idiots," said a CGT member told the Guardian newspaper as he marched with Renault workers.

"People have had enough, they can't keep going any longer on low pay with daily fear of losing their jobs."

French affiliates of the International Metalworkers' Federation, took part in the strikes.