French workers will step up their protests against pension reforms next week. Head of the workers' confederation made this statement as union leaders prepared to discuss plans to hold a seventh day of national protests across the country.Strikes are continuing against government plans to raise the pension age from 60 to 62. Blockades of refineries and fuel depots have led to fuel shortages. France has begun importing electricity as the wave of strikes crippled energy supplies.. At least 12 of France's 58 reactors are shut for maintenance but the unions say production has been cut at four others. The news emerged as President Nicolas Sarkozy warned that the economy and jobs could be hit if the disruption did not end quickly.