Labor Minister Olivier Dussopt said the government was not in denial about tensions but wanted to move forward.
“There is a disagreement that will persist over the retirement age. On the other hand, there are many topics that make it possible to renew a dialogue,” he said, including how companies should share their profits with workers. .
“Things will be done gradually,” he said.
Due to the strike, power supply in the sector remained stalled on Thursday.
The government has renewed a demand order requiring some workers to return to work at the Fos-sur-Mer fuel depot in southern France to ensure the supply of petrol for the region.