French Unemployment Highest Since 1999

High income tax, minimum wage hikes, and union reform yet to bear fruit for the socialist government

The number of unemployed in France has topped the 3 million for the first time since 1999, Labour Minister Michel Sapin has said.

Official figures for August are not due out until later on Wednesday, but they are expected to confirm the 16th consecutive monthly rise.

"It's bad. It's clearly bad," Mr Sapin told France 2 television.