Two-hundred fifty people gathered in Paris' 6th arrondissement today to demonstrate their displeasure at France's lack of recognition and regulation of the labour of the city's sans papiers – residents without immigration papers. The protesters – most of whom were young North African men – have been on strike for six months. They await a decision on the regulation of salaries, to be handed down today by the Ministry of Work.

Members of France's General Federation of Labour, Young Communists and members of several labour union Locals protested in solidarity with the illegal workers.

Seventy-five riot police, in armadillo suits, helmets and shields, kept the protest out of the major thoroughfare of Rue Vaugirard, but the people blocked Rue Notre Dame des Champs as well as the St. Placide metro entrance.

"We had been in a building up the street [which a group of "sans papiers" had been occupying for three months], and that's why the called out the riot police: to remove us," said a protester who was one of several people asking passers-by for cash in solidarity with their cause.

About thirty people sat around a mountain of blankets, bags and pillows. Another group attracted a crowd of pedestrians with drumming and singing.

I asked the protester how long he thought the group would be in the street.

"Until the Ministery decides to give us work regulations," he said. "Come back tomorrow morning to see if we're still here."