After months of debate and considerable controversy, the long awaited legislation is finally on the statute books.

The law, which is a centre piece of the government's economic programme, is designed to reduce France's high level of unemployment.

Metro strike

It has been greeted with a predictable amount of industrial action.

For the second day running French lorry drivers are blocking roads around the country to protest about the terms of the new law.

About 50 strategic routes are still affected, while union officials are meeting the transport minister to try to reach an agreement.

The drivers are annoyed at the government for granting concessions to their bosses, which they say will deny them the benefits of the new legislation.

And Paris is one of the cities to be affected by a bus and metro strike as public transport workers hold their own day of protest.