REUTERS/Charles Platiau
A sign that reads "I am Taxi" is seen on a French striking taxi window as drivers block the traffic during a demonstration at Porte Maillot in Paris during a national protest about competition from private car ride firms like Uber, France, January 26, 2016
Parisians won't be able to use Uber between 11am and 3pm today.
The protest has been organised by a group of full-time drivers who use ride-hailing apps like Uber to get business. The drivers have been protesting against the government for five days now.
Thomas Meister, a spokesman for Uber France, told The Verge that this is the first time Uber has shut down its service in support of a driver protest. "We stand by our drivers, it's as simple as that," Meister told The Verge. "We can't let these people down."
The drivers are protesting over a new set of regulations that were introduced by the French government after taxi unions staged a nationwide strike last month.
Following the protests, French Prime Minister Manuel Valls met with the heads of taxi unions and ordered Uber and others to stop hiring salaried drivers.
Several of the drivers at the protest work for a class of small businesses called Loi d'orientation des transports intérieurs (LOTI). LOTI has struck deals with Uber and other ride hailing apps that allow its drivers to use their apps so they can get more business.
Drivers that work for LOTI say they now get up to 70% of their business from Uber and other ride-hailing apps.
The protestors are calling for a moratorium on the regulations.