PARIS, March 28 (Xinhua) -- France mired in travel chaos Tuesday as workers across the country walked off their job over a new jobs law.

    French transport unions launched a large-scale strike Tuesday following nationwide demonstrations against Prime Minister Domininque de Villepin's disputed youth employment law, or First Employment Contract (CPE).

    In Paris, the national trains operator SNCF said that only two of three high-speed trains, about 40 percent of other long-distance trains and half of its suburban lines were running early Tuesday.

    The aviation authorities said one flight in three was canceled at airports nationwide.

    Schools, post-offices, banks, government offices and unemployment bureaus were also affected.

    Police were on high alert for outbreaks of violence, and extra police were being deployed in the capital.

    In a three-week standoff, the French government refused to meet the opposition demands to abolish the CPE, a contract that would let companies dismiss workers under 26 without cause during their first two years on the job.

    According to the government, the contract would make it easier for employers to hire younger workers, but opponents argued it was a breach of the hard-won labor rights and would make it more difficult than ever for young people to find long-term jobs. Enditem