Paris metro workers have gone on strike, joining national rail and port employees.
There is disruption expected across the network although it is expected to be limited.
France's state rail company SNCF said about 60 per cent of high-speed trains and between a third and a half of other services were expected to be running.
The strikes are over changes to labour laws which will see employers given greater freedom to reduce pay, increase the working week from 35 hours to 46 and easing conditions for firing workers in an economic downturn.
French president Francois Hollande is refusing to give in to the demands of the CGT Union’s demands. The CGT has warned it would continue its campaign of stoppages and demonstrations to pressure the government to scrap the reforms.
Air transport is expected to be disrupted later this month after Air France pilots voted for industrial action in a separate dispute.