France: Several detained as police clash with labour reform protesters in Nantes

Police made several arrests following clashes between riot police and protesters during a march against national labour reforms in Nantes, Tuesday. Police deployed tear gas, water cannon and pepper spray to disperse protesters, who threw projectiles such as glass bottles at police.
According to police officials, around 3,500 people took part in the protest. Protest groups say the number was closer to 10,000.
Commonly referred to as the 'El Khomri law,' after French Labour Minister Myriam El Khomri, President Francois Hollande and Prime Minister Manuel Valls have said they will impose the labour reforms by decree after the government survived a vote of no-confidence.
The reforms will concern almost all aspects of the country's labour laws; easing conditions for employers to hire and fire workers. Firms will also have greater freedoms to reduce workers' pay and will be able to extend the working week from the current 35 hours to a maximum of 46 hours.
France's government says the reforms are essential to boosting the economy and helping cut high levels of unemployment. The changes have been condemned by student groups and labour unions, who believe that it will become easier for employers to bypass workers' rights on pay, overtime and breaks.