Protests escalate in Paris

French President Jacques Chirac said his government was "ready for dialogue" with leaders of the 250,000 protesters who took to the streets yesterday, as the country braced itself for bigger protests.

Students are opposing a new employment contract that will allow those under 26 to be dismissed during the first two years in a job without any reason.

The plan, designed to help free up France's rigid labour laws, has convinced many young people they are part of the "Kleenex generation" of "disposable workers".

Yesterday saw 200 protests and ended with violence and arrests, particularly around Paris' Sorbonne University, where police fired tear gas at youths who threw stones and set cars alight.