[France] Minimum wage increase brought forward to take heat out of protests

In France, Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu has announced plans to bring forward a planned increase in the national minimum wage to December from January, Reuters reports.

The announcement comes as he seeks to lower the temperature of some of the worst civil unrest in years.

A series of demonstrations have erupted in recent weeks. The protests reportedly began over underfunded schools but have evolved into broader cost-of-living crisis-prompted protest action, including riots in major cities on October 17.

Ordinarily, France's national minimum wage would be raised on January 1, 2027, to reflect inflation. But Labour Minister Jean-Pierre Farandou told a press conference that, on this occasion, the government will raise it by 1.6 per cent in December.

The move will uplift the monthly minimum wage ⁠to a net €1,502 ($1,676), up €24 from its current rate. The rate has stood at that level since June, after it was hiked by €35 to reflect higher inflation.

The latest rise is still well short of union demands. The CFDT, France's largest union, has reportedly been calling for a €100 increase, and the left-wing CGT union is demanding a 10 per cent rise, equivalent to around €150 a month.

Speaking to journalists after meeting with unions and employers' federations, the prime minister said, "This is the second-biggest increase in 20 years, so it should not be held in contempt." 

Marylise Leon - CFDT head - described the increase as "insufficient", while CGT head Sophie Binet called it "crumbs", adding, "We didn't come here to beg for alms." 

In addition, Ms Binet called for new protests on November 17.

Source: Reuters

(Link and quotes via original reporting)

In France, Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu has announced plans to bring forward a planned increase in the national minimum wage to December from January, Reuters reports.

The announcement comes as he seeks to lower the temperature of some of the worst civil unrest in years.

A series of demonstrations have erupted in recent weeks. The protests reportedly began over underfunded schools but have evolved into broader cost-of-living crisis-prompted protest action, including riots in major cities on October 17.

Ordinarily, France's national minimum wage would be raised on January 1, 2027, to reflect inflation. But Labour Minister Jean-Pierre Farandou told a press conference that, on this occasion, the government will raise it by 1.6 per cent in December.

The move will uplift the monthly minimum wage ⁠to a net €1,502 ($1,676), up €24 from its current rate. The rate has stood at that level since June, after it was hiked by €35 to reflect higher inflation.

The latest rise is still well short of union demands. The CFDT, France's largest union, has reportedly been calling for a €100 increase, and the left-wing CGT union is demanding a 10 per cent rise, equivalent to around €150 a month.

Speaking to journalists after meeting with unions and employers' federations, the prime minister said, "This is the second-biggest increase in 20 years, so it should not be held in contempt." 

Marylise Leon - CFDT head - described the increase as "insufficient", while CGT head Sophie Binet called it "crumbs", adding, "We didn't come here to beg for alms." 

In addition, Ms Binet called for new protests on November 17.

Source: Reuters

(Link and quotes via original reporting)