PHOTO GALLERY: Protests turn violent across France over labour reform

Multimedia

French riot police forces walk during a demo against the government's labour reform on May 12, 2016 in Paris (AFP)

People demonstrate against the government's proposed labour reform on May 13, 2016, in Nantes, western France (AFP)

Protesters throw tear gas grenade back to riot police during a demonstration against the government's proposed labour reform on May 13, 2016, in Nantes, western France (AFP)

French riot police officers sprays pepper gas at a demonstrator during a protest against Labor Law as the Socialist government decided to force the bill through Parliament without a vote, in Paris, Thursday, May 12, 2016 (AP)

Demonstrators protest against the government's labour reform in front of the the National Assembly during a debate ahead of a no-confidence vote in Paris on May 12, 2016 (AFP)

Demonstrators, left, clash with Unions security men during a protest against Labor Law as the Socialist government decided to force the bill through Parliament without a vote, in Paris, Thursday, May 12, 2016 (AP)

A protester kicks a gas canister grenade during a demonstration against the government's proposed labour reform on May 13, 2016, in Nantes, western France (AFP)

Clouds of tear gas surround French riot police during clashes with protestors during a demonstration against the French labour law reform in Nantes, France, May 12, 2016 (Reuters)

Demonstrators gather during the labor law debate outside of the national assembly in Paris, France, Thursday, May 12, 2016 (AP)

Protesters throw stones at riot police as they demonstrate against the government's proposed labour reform on May 13, 2016, in Nantes, western France (AFP)

A protester is arrested by riot police as they demonstrate against the government's proposed labour reform on May 13, 2016, in Nantes, western France (AFP)

France's embattled Socialist government survived a vote of no-confidence on Thursday over its decision to force a controversial labour reform bill though parliament.

A no-confidence motion brought by the centre-right opposition won 246 votes in the National Assembly, falling short of the 288 required to bring down the government.

New protests were held across the country on Thursday against the draft law, with violent clashes reported in Paris and acts of vandalism in the western city of Nantes.

The bill still faces several major hurdles before it is adopted.

The government says the reform is aimed at loosening up France's notoriously rigid job market.

But many unions and students say it will do little to address France's jobless rate, which has been stuck at 10 percent, and nearly 25 percent for young people.