Police have used tear gas to disperse demonstrators in Paris who are protesting against the new labor reforms.

According to Le Figaro newspaper, a group of 30 young people broke the windows of banks and shops, while throwing rocks to police officers. Many people were arrested, according to Le Parisien.

Employee unions and student organizations joined forces on Thursday to protest against the Socialist government’s bill, which they consider as badly damaging to hard-fought worker protections.

Under the proposed reforms, employers would pay only 10 percent of overtime bonus, instead of the current 25 percent.

France’s current 35-hour working week would be maintained, but companies would be allowed to organize alternative working times, including a working week of up to 48 hours and 12-hour days. In “exceptional circumstances,” employees could work up to 60 hours a week, DW mentions.

French government, as well as many businesses, claim that these reforms would give more flexibility to the labor market and will secure the careers of employees in a country where unemployment currently is at 10 percent and where small businesses are reluctant to hire.

Earlier, French President Francois Hollande said the reforms would help employees “have more job stability.”

“We must also give companies the opportunity to recruit more, to give job security to young people throughout their lives, and to provide flexibility for companies,” he said.