France will increase its minimum wage by 1.6 percent in December, moving the adjustment up from January to calm widespread protests over living costs, nos.nl reported.
Sébastien Lecornu announced the decision following talks in Paris with labor unions and employer organizations, according to nos.nl. MarketScreener Nederland reported that the increase brings the net monthly minimum wage to 1,502 euros, which is 24 euros higher than the previous level set in June.
French labor unions dismissed the government’s wage concession as insufficient. CGT leader Sophie Binet called the adjustment “crumbs” and “alms” during a press conference, stating that the raise will not stop public anger, nos.nl reported.
CFDT leader Marylise Léon similarly labeled the increase inadequate, according to MarketScreener Nederland. MarketScreener noted that the CFDT had demanded a 100-euro increase, while the CGT pushed for a 10 percent raise amounting to roughly 150 euros per month.
Sébastien Lecornu defended the wage adjustment by calling it the second-largest minimum wage increase in twenty years, according to nos.nl. Minister of Employment Jean-Pierre Farandou added that total increases for the year reach 5.3 percent, bringing the net monthly minimum wage just above 1,500 euros, nos.nl reported.
MarketScreener Nederland noted that France maintains one of the highest minimum wages in Europe relative to average earnings. Eurostat figures cited by MarketScreener show that the minimum wage accounted for 67 percent of the average wage in 2024, with 12.7 percent of workers earning at or near that rate.
Unions have scheduled fresh demonstrations and strikes despite the government’s announcement. A coalition of unions called for nationwide actions on November 17, and student and teacher groups organized further street protests, nos.nl reported.
Sébastien Lecornu urged demonstrators to return to calm in city centers ahead of the Christmas shopping season, warning that ongoing clashes threaten shopkeepers and economic competitiveness, according to nos.nl. MarketScreener Nederland reported that the unrest occurs five months ahead of presidential elections, with opinion polls showing far-right leader Marine Le Pen leading.
Sébastien Lecornu brought the scheduled January inflation adjustment forward to December in an effort to defuse severe cost-of-living protests that escalated into major urban unrest, according to MarketScreener Nederland.
The 1.6 percent increase brings the net monthly minimum wage to 1,502 euros, providing workers with an extra 24 euros compared to the previous level established in June, MarketScreener Nederland reported.
Student and teacher organizations planned immediate protests, while a coalition of French labor unions called on their members to stage fresh demonstrations on November 17, according to nos.nl.
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