Total's La Mede oil refinery in the south of France was partially shut down on Sunday as Marseille port workers continued their strike for a 14th day, blocking the delivery of crude oil.
"We have begun moves to shut down the plant due to the absence of crude oil," a company spokesman said of the 158,000 barrels-per-day refinery which exports much of its production to Mediterranean and African countries. He said more than half of the plant's production capacity was now shut and it could take a few days to shut the plant completely.
Marseille port workers are protesting against industry reforms and against President Nicolas Sarkozy's plan to raise the retirement age to 62 from 60, which has already sparked waves of nation-wide protests. The port strike is expected to continue this week and on Tuesday French unions have called for a general strike throughout the country to protest against the pension reform.
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