Thursday strikes against job cuts

Teachers and civil servants across France will strike on Thursday to protest at job cuts announced by the government.

Air France and rail unions have announced they will join the strike.

Nicolas Sarkozy has said that he wants to reduce the number of civil service positions by 23,000 this year and 35,000 in 2009.

France currently has the largest number of civil servants as a proportion of the working population than any other European country.

The cuts, which will be made largely through non-replacement of positions as workers retire, will particularly affect the teaching profession.

More than 11,000 teaching positions will be cut this year. Many schools across the country will be closed on Thursday.

Education Minister Xavier Darcos has asked mayors to ensure a minimum service in schools, which has been refused by many, including socialist Paris mayor Bertrand Delanoe.

More than five million civil servants will join the strike, in support of teachers and also to protest against plans to increase the number of years one must work to receive a full pension from 40 to 41.