An estimated 2,500 gathered outside French Polynesia's territorial assembly at today's launch of an unlimited general strike.
Photo: 123RF
The action was called in a bid to force the government to abandon its planned pension reform.
However, reports said the strike, which was called by a union umbrella group, had only mixed support, with local administrations hardly affected by the stoppage.
Some offices of utility companies have remained closed.
Earlier this week, the president Edouard Fritch convened a special government meeting which rebuffed the union demands and decided to uphold the reform plan.
It is now with the assembly for debate and approval.
The plan is to raise the retirement age next year from 60 to 62 and to hike contributions.
Mr Fritch said the reform was needed to avert a catastrophe, adding that there would be a revolution in a couple of years if pensions were no longer paid.