French scientists halt research

The researchers organised a march in central Paris

Thousands of French scientific researchers have begun a work to rule over a funding crisis they say is leading to a national brain drain.

A group of senior scientists is also meeting to decide whether to give up administrative duties over the crisis.

The government has vowed to stand its ground against the protesters, as it prepares for regional elections.

Other strikes over public service cuts are planned by hospital staff, teachers and arts workers later in the week.

Mr Raffarin is currently trying to bring France's budget deficit below euro zone limits, and correspondents say he can hardly afford to meet demands for extra money.

In other planned action this week:

• Hospital staff are expected to protest in central Paris on Thursday over healthcare reforms
• Teachers' unions have called for a national strike on Friday against cuts in funding which they say are leading to lay-offs
• Workers in the arts will hold a demonstration outside Mr Raffarin's office on Saturday.

A series of widespread strikes by public sector workers last year caused major disruption but failed to dent government plans for pension reform.

Concessions

The researchers said they would stop laboratory research work and have organised a march to the Ministry of Science.

Raising matters of major national interest in a partisan way during regional elections leads you up a blind alley, Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin

They maintain that their funding has barely kept pace with inflation and that new members of the profession are forced abroad by poor pay and a lack of jobs.

Meanwhile directors of hundreds of French laboratories are meeting in Paris city hall to decide whether to give up administrative duties or back down following concessions promised by Mr Raffarin last week.

Correspondents say the move is largely symbolic, as the scientists will continue to carry out scientific duties and receive full pay.

But many laboratories could be affected as a result of regular paperwork not being done.

Mr Raffarin offered 3bn (£2bn) euros over the next three years and said he would unblock credits worth a further 300m euros.

But he urged the scientists not to carry out their threat.

Some scientists have rejected Mr Raffarin's offer of extra funds

"A resignation has never been a success," he told Liberation newspaper. "I would of course be sad because I do not want France's international reputation to be weakened."

He also accused the left-wing opposition of stirring up political discontent ahead of regional elections on 21 and 28 March.

"Raising matters of major national interest in a partisan way during regional elections leads you up a blind alley," he said.

"When you mix the subjects up, no-one wins."

Petition

Correspondents say some scientists consider government efforts to meet their demands as significant.

However, Alain Trautman, a spokesman for the Save Research campaign organising the protest, told AFP news agency the offer was simply a re-statement of President Jacques Chirac's promise to bring funding up to 3% of the national product.

Save Research has organised a petition in support of the scientists, which has so far gathered more than 60,000 signatures in the profession.