French strikes costing up to $560 million per day

French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde says the country's massive strikes are costing the economy up to 400 million euro each day.

French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde says the country's massive strikes are costing the economy up to 400 million euro ($562 million) each day.

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Protests over President Nicolas Sarkozy's plan to raise the retirement age from 60 to 62 have left France struggling with fuel shortages, travel chaos and uncollected garbage.

Lagarde told Europe-1 radio on Monday that the daily economic cost is between 200 million euro and 400 million euro. The minister also says that the strikes are damaging France's image abroad.

The demonstrations have brought millions into the streets. Open-ended walkouts by railway and petroleum workers have wreaked havoc on commuters and travelers.

The Senate voted on Friday to pass the pension reform. It's expected to win final approval this week.