A raise moved up, a figure that falls short

The French government has decided to pay the annual minimum wage rise early. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said on Monday that a planned 1.6% increase would take effect in December rather than waiting for January, following meetings with trade unions and employers over the cost-of-living crisis. Labour Minister Jean-Pierre Farandou detailed the raise at a press conference.

• •The rise lifts the monthly net minimum wage to €1,502 ($1,676), an increase of €24
• •The level had stood unchanged since June, when it was raised by €35
• •The minimum wage normally rises on January 1 in line with inflation

Under France's usual mechanism, the wage is automatically indexed to inflation in January and sometimes midyear, which makes any change politically sensitive and one that reaches broadly into labour costs.

Unions demand far more

The offer landed poorly with the unions that had sat across the table. The CFDT, France's largest union, had asked for a €100 increase, while the CGT sought a 10% rise, equivalent to around €150 a month - far beyond the 1.6% on the table.

CFDT head Marylise Léon said after the meeting that the increase was "insufficient". CGT leader Sophie Binet went further, describing it as "crumbs" and adding: "We didn't come here to beg for alms."

Lecornu defended the figure to journalists after the talks with unions and employers' federations: "This is the second-biggest increase in 20 years, so it should not be held in contempt."

• •The CFDT demanded a €100 monthly increase
• •The CGT demanded a 10% rise, about €150 a month
• •Binet has called for fresh protests on November 17

Why the government moved

The decision comes after weeks of unrest. Protests erupted in high schools in September over underfunded schools, then spiralled into broader anger over living costs, public services and political stagnation. Riots broke out in major cities on October 17, catching security forces off guard.

The government is also watching the calendar. With the french presidential election five months away and far-right leader Marine Le Pen leading the polls, officials are worried about social tensions. Polls suggest a run-off between Le Pen and hard-left rival Jean-Luc Mélenchon. President Emmanuel Macron, whose approval ratings have hit a record low, is barred from running again as his second term nears its end.

Any larger wage rise also runs into fiscal reality: the government has little room for manoeuvre because of its mounting debt burden.

What the wage means in France

France combines one of Europe's highest minimum wages with an unusually wide group of workers paid at or near it. The minimum wage stood at 67% of average earnings in 2024, and 12.7% of employees were paid at or near the minimum wage, according to Eurostat - compared with 8% in Germany and 3.5% in the Netherlands.

Binet has called for new protests on November 17; the increase takes effect in December.