An unlimited general strike is set to start in French Polynesia tomorrow after talks between the government and unions failed to find common ground.
The president Edouard Fritch has received union delegates, who last week called for industrial action in a bid to force the government to abandon its planned pension reform.
Mr Fritch also convened a special government meeting on Wednesday which decided to uphold the reform plan and send it to the assembly for discussion later this week.
He said the reform is needed to avert a catastrophe, adding that there would be a revolution in a couple of years if pensions were no longer paid.
The unions likened the talks to a monologue.
They have called for a mass rally outside the assembly.
The government plan is to raise the retirement age next year from 60 to 62 and to hike contributions.