Thousands of people protested across France on Saturday

Thousands of people protested across France on Saturday to keep up pressure on the government over pension reform plans, including a move to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64.

At the start of the year, unions expected mass protests from January 19 after a three-day nationwide strike. More than a million people marched against the government's plan.

The French are the most retired among OECD countries. According to opinion polls, most people are unwilling to give up this privilege.

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President Emmanuel Macron said the reforms were "crucial" to ensure the functioning of the pension system. While the Paris protests were peaceful, there were some minor clashes. A car and some garbage cans were set on fire, and police forces used tear gas and stun grenades to disperse some of the more radical groups involved in the protests.

Ahead of Saturday's march, all major unions, in a joint statement, called on the government to withdraw the bill.

They warned that if the demands were not met, France would be brought to a standstill from March 7. A strike has already been called on February 16.