France, May 1 -- Labour Day on 1 May holds a unique status in France as the only public holiday that is "ferie et chome" - non-working and paid for almost everyone.

Rooted in the labour movement, Labour Day was declared internationally in 1889 after Chicago's Haymarket riot, when a bomb killed several people during a strike for an eight-hour working day.

The holiday symbolises respect for workers, and unions view any erosion of it as a threat to broader protections.

Workers' rights in free fall as unions face unprecedented attacks, report warns Debate over exemptions

This year's controversy concerns artisan bakers and florists, some of whom open to sell bread and bouquets of lily of the valley flowers - traditionally given to friends ...