QIndrams of thousands of demonstrators are expected to take part in marches across France, while five unions join strikes and protests within the framework of a national action day.
Protests began in September with high school students complaining about poor conditions and lack of resources in education, but they have expanded, including the movement known as the yellow school and employees of different sectors.
Authorities expect between 500,000 and 700,000 demonstrators to participate in the marches, with tens of thousands of others in Paris alone, on a day that a union leader has named a great day of unity.
The five trade unions have joined forces, including the public and private sector, with demands for higher salaries to cope with the cost of living, as well as for the protection of public services.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced that 70,000 police and gendarmes have been engaged, warning an extremely determined response to any possible outbreak of violence.
More than 250 different activities are scheduled for November 5th, while disruptions are reported in schools, hospitals and public transportation.
Also, employees have been asked to ban production in oil refinerys; meanwhile, on Thursday, France is expected to import more electricity than it produces, due to problems at nuclear plants.
A coalition of unions has called on workers, pensioners and youth to join Thursday’s strikes, aimed at increasing pressure on the government. In particular, they require the growth of the minimum wage (known as “Smic) – currently 12.31 euros (10 pounds) per hour.
The last major mobilisation over the weekend was passed with relatively few violence, while the interior minister said police presence Thursday would be on a similar scale. Nuñez cited three possible dangers for Thursday: radical left groups known as black bluffs (black blocks), burglaries, and trade unions authorised marches.