Strikes against pensions reform pile heaps of woes on streets in France

Paris' reputation as one of the world's most glamorous and photogenic cities is being seriously damaged by a wave of strikes across France over the government's planned reform of the pensions system, as it has led to rubbish piling up on its streets and refuse workers taking industrial action.

City authorities estimate around 6,600 tons of rubbish have been left out on the streets since cleaning staff went on strike, which Agence France-Presse said has been extended until at least next Monday.

Jean-Francois Rial, president of the Paris tourism office, admitted that scenes of litter-strewed streets were "not optimal for foreign visitors" but told AFP that they were not having any impact on the number of visitors coming to the capital.