French unions and student bodies have called for a general strike and protest marches on 28 March to pressure the government to withdraw a job law they say will create insecurity for a generation of young workers.
The large public sector is expected to join the one-day stoppage in force but it was not immediately clear how the strike would affect the private sector.
Despite nationwide protest marches over the weekend, Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin has stood firm on the First Job Contract (CPE) law but also called for dialogue to improve it.
He held meetings with students and employers today to discuss their concerns and promote the law.
French President Jacques Chirac has backed his prime minister over the law, which allows employers to fire people under 26 for any reason during a two-year trial period.
Chirac said the CPE showed the government's willingness to fight youth unemployment, which stands at 23% in France, more than twice the national rate.
Opposition to the law has provoked a crisis for Villepin, which could harm his chances of running for president in 2007 and damage the ruling UMP party.
Opinion polls show his popularity has slumped in recent weeks and a poll for the BVA organisation on Monday showed that 60% of French voters want the law withdrawn.
Student groups and union leaders say the CPE would create a generation of disposable workers without job security.
Up to 500,000 people took to the streets across France over the weekend to protest against the law.
The marches were mostly peaceful, but scattered violence was reported in Paris and in some other cities.
