France, March 8 -- Back-to-back strikes against French pension reform carried into International Women's Day on Wednesday - causing major disruptions to transport in particular- as the government's bill to raise the retirement age to 64 won a major boost in the Senate overnight.

After a sixth day of record protests on Tuesday, trade unions rallied workers to keep up the pressure on Emmanuel Macron. They also demanded an audience with the President, who they accuse of turning a blind eye to their demands.

Government spokesperson Olivier Veran told RTL radio on Wednesday the President had already met with union leaders last June, with the exception of the CGT, which declined to come, adding that the government's door "remained open" to fu...