French police have clashed with firefighters protesting in Paris against their working conditions and demanding more pay.

Thousands of firefighters attended the protest in the French capital, asking for an increase to a bonus for working in dangerous conditions. The payment has stayed unchanged since 1990.

The confrontation came after a group of firefighters deviated from their approved route. Police fired tear gas and hit some protesters with batons.

Clad in uniforms, some firefighters had defied orders not to wear their helmets or other protective gear. Two even doused their fire retardant clothing with fuel and set it ablaze to make their point.

France has seen widespread labor unrest since December, with unions mobilizing against President Emmanuel Macron's plans to reform the pension system.

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