French energy facilities are close to total disruption in the wake of nationwide strike against the raise of the retirement age, French media said on Friday.
France has been hit by numerous protests across the country against a controversial pension reform that would rise the retirement age to 62 from 60.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy earlier said that he had no other choice but to raise the retirement age in attempt to save the social security budget. Sarkozy said the retirement system was running out of resources to serve France's aging population.
On Friday morning 80 protesters blockaded Grandpuits oil refinery outside Paris, key supplier for Charles de Gaulle and Orly international airports.
Shortly after the beginning of the standoff, the police cleared protestors from the refinery, injuring three people.
Other industrial sectors were also affected by the strike, including the petrochemical industry, which is losing about 100 million Euros a day and construction sector with 15,000 workers idle because of the lack of tar.
MOSCOW, October 22 (RIA Novosti)
