FRANCE’S president and prime minister sent conflicting messages to workers over hated labour “reforms” yesterday as rail strikes began.

PM Manuel Valls’s Socialist Party government asked the largest trade union federation CGT to propose solutions to the battle over the El Khomri law, which will see working time limits raised from 35 to 46 hours a week and erode other workers’ rights.

Labour Minister Myriam El Khomri said yesterday she was waiting to hear from CGT general secretary Philippe Martinez after hearing he had called for fresh talks.