The French government on Monday announced a 1.6 percent increase in the national minimum wage, alongside a series of measures aimed at easing cost-of-living pressures. However, the decision fell well short of the demands of trade unions, which have called for fresh protests in the coming days.
Issued on: 09/11/2026 - RFI
Protesters hold a sign that reads 'SOS high cost of living' during a demonstration in Paris, 7 November 2026. © Emma Da Silva/AP
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced the proposals following a meeting with trade unions and employers' organisations called in response to protests and strikes since mid-September over wages, purchasing power and employment.
Under pressure to address the discontent, the government has little room for manoeuvre, as the country is in debt and facing European deficit-reduction requirements, and the ruling party lacks a parliamentary majority to pass its 2027 budget.
The minimum wage, known as the Smic, will go up by around €24 per month, bringing take-home pay to approximately €1,502 from 1 December. The increase combines an early adjustment, linked to inflation, which would normally go into effect in January, along with an additional increase.
Lecornu described it as the second largest minimum wage increase in 20 years, arguing that it should not be dismissed as merely symbolic. It is the first increase initiated by the government that goes above the automatic inflation adjustment since July 2021.
He said it would help launch a new round of wage negotiations across sectors and individual companies, where decisions on pay increases are made by employers and unions.
Unions call increase 'crumbs'
Trade unions slammed the increase, saying it falls well short of what workers need.
The CFDT union had called for an additional €100 net per month, while the CGT demanded a 10 percent increase, equivalent to around €150.
"The government has only announced crumbs," CGT Secretary General Sophie Binet told reporters.
She argued that once the automatic inflation adjustment that would have come into force in January is taken into account, the additional increase amounts to just €5 - the cost of "a kilogramme of tomatoes".
"We didn't come here to beg for alms," she added, calling for new protests on 17 November.
Other proposals include raising the ceiling for tax-free overtime pay, from €7,500 to €10,000, extending tax exemptions for employee profit-sharing bonuses and introducing energy-related bonuses.
Economy Minister Roland Lescure also said the government would propose extending fuel allowances into 2027.
The government additionally plans to issue a decree requiring companies to disclose all public assistance they receive to employee representatives.
Lecornu also promised a review of employers' social security contributions, aimed at encouraging higher wages without adding additional labour costs to businesses.
Boost for salary negotiations?
The government hopes further negotiations between unions and employers will produce wage increases before December.
Public sector unions, which were not invited to Monday's meeting, are due to meet Lecornu on Friday. Several have already called for a public sector strike on 17 November over pay, particularly a freeze of the index used to calculate base salaries.
The index has not increased since July 2023, meaning civil servants have not received any general pay rises for more than three years, even as inflation has increased.
Lecornu was due to meet representatives of high school and university students on Monday afternoon, followed by the first meeting of a committee reviewing Parcoursup, the university admissions platform. The system has been a major focus of the protests, with students arguing it is opaque and unfair.
The protest movement began with high school students in September and has since spread to other sections of society. The wider union coalition was also due to discuss on Monday evening whether to continue the protest movement.
(with newswires)
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced the proposals following a meeting with trade unions and employers' organisations called in response to protests and strikes since mid-September over wages, purchasing power and employment.
Under pressure to address the discontent, the government has little room for manoeuvre, as the country is in debt and facing European deficit-reduction requirements, and the ruling party lacks a parliamentary majority to pass its 2027 budget.
The minimum wage, known as the Smic, will go up by around €24 per month, bringing take-home pay to approximately €1,502 from 1 December. The increase combines an early adjustment, linked to inflation, which would normally go into effect in January, along with an additional increase.
Lecornu described it as the second largest minimum wage increase in 20 years, arguing that it should not be dismissed as merely symbolic. It is the first increase initiated by the government that goes above the automatic inflation adjustment since July 2021.
He said it would help launch a new round of wage negotiations across sectors and individual companies, where decisions on pay increases are made by employers and unions.
Unions call increase 'crumbs'
Trade unions slammed the increase, saying it falls well short of what workers need.
The CFDT union had called for an additional €100 net per month, while the CGT demanded a 10 percent increase, equivalent to around €150.
"The government has only announced crumbs," CGT Secretary General Sophie Binet told reporters.
She argued that once the automatic inflation adjustment that would have come into force in January is taken into account, the additional increase amounts to just €5 - the cost of "a kilogramme of tomatoes".
"We didn't come here to beg for alms," she added, calling for new protests on 17 November.
Other proposals include raising the ceiling for tax-free overtime pay, from €7,500 to €10,000, extending tax exemptions for employee profit-sharing bonuses and introducing energy-related bonuses.
Economy Minister Roland Lescure also said the government would propose extending fuel allowances into 2027.
The government additionally plans to issue a decree requiring companies to disclose all public assistance they receive to employee representatives.
Lecornu also promised a review of employers' social security contributions, aimed at encouraging higher wages without adding additional labour costs to businesses.
Boost for salary negotiations?
The government hopes further negotiations between unions and employers will produce wage increases before December.
Public sector unions, which were not invited to Monday's meeting, are due to meet Lecornu on Friday. Several have already called for a public sector strike on 17 November over pay, particularly a freeze of the index used to calculate base salaries.
The index has not increased since July 2023, meaning civil servants have not received any general pay rises for more than three years, even as inflation has increased.
Lecornu was due to meet representatives of high school and university students on Monday afternoon, followed by the first meeting of a committee reviewing Parcoursup, the university admissions platform. The system has been a major focus of the protests, with students arguing it is opaque and unfair.
The protest movement began with high school students in September and has since spread to other sections of society. The wider union coalition was also due to discuss on Monday evening whether to continue the protest movement.
(with newswires)
Unions vow to keep pressure on French government after fourth wave of protests
Education union chiefs on Sunday vowed to maintain pressure on the government after student organisations called for another day of nationwide strikes and demonstrations on Tuesday.
Issued on: 08/11/2026 - RFI
By: Paul Myers
Sophie Vénétitay, secretary-general of the SNES-FSU, said her union was angry to be excluded from talks on Monday between government ministers and private-sector employers and employees.
"It's as if public-sector salaries, and therefore those in education, were not a priority and could be put off until a few days later," Vénétitay told French broadcaster RMC.
"We have seen that the government is very responsive to pressure. It responded to pressure from secondary-school students.
"The objective is to maintain pressure on the government."
Ministers will meet secondary-school and university student representatives to discuss education and Parcoursup – the university entrance platform – in a separate meeting on Monday
Public-sector unions, including those representing teachers, are due to hold talks with the government on 13 November.
“The protest movement is in a position of strength, the government is in a position of weakness and is beginning to back down,” the inter-union alliance of the CGT, FSU, FO, SUD, USL, UNEF, Union étudiante, FAGE and FSE said in a statement on Saturday.
"Now is the time to step up the mobilisation by continuing to put pressure on the government."
The call for further demonstrations came as thousands of people took to the streets across the country on Saturday to complain about the poor conditions in schools and the rising cost of living.
Arrests during nationwide protests
The Interior Ministry said 360 people were arrested during the protests.
Saturday's rallies came 48 hours after a general strike over the same issues.
Some 70,000 police and gendarmes were deployed Saturday to prevent a repeat of the violence that marred the first protests on 17 October.
Authorities said they expected up to 170,000 people to demonstrate nationwide during the fourth consecutive Saturday of rallies including 60,000 in Paris.
But the interior ministry reported 146,000 people.
Unions march in Paris
Trade unions staged a march along a traditional route, from the Place de la Republique in central Paris to Place de la Nation in the east of the city.
But the Yellow Vests movement – a group whose protests shook Emmanuel Macron's government in 2018 – called for a rival demonstration at the Place de la Concorde in central Paris, near the president's official residence and the lower house of parliament. However, the protest was banned by the authorities.
In Lyon, south-eastern France, police fired tear gas to disperse several hundred people in the city centre blocking a road during an unauthorised gathering.
Investigations into police response
The police response to the high school pupil protests and at the Saturday demonstrations has faced criticism for being heavy-handed.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez told French MPs on the National Assembly's law committee last month that the national police inspectorate had launched 18 inquiries into police conduct during the demonstrations.
On Friday, the international news agency AFP called for protection for its journalists after it reported several instances of alleged police brutality against its reporters.
Press freedom watchdog Reporters Without Borders said it had recorded 40 cases of journalists being obstructed in their coverage of the demonstrations by members of the security forces, including 21 cases involving physical violence.
Local businesses are also feeling the pain. "All this can't go on, otherwise I think it will be a disaster before long," said Paris shop manager Jean-Emile Moulinier, whose store lies along the main protest route.
Education union chiefs on Sunday vowed to maintain pressure on the government after student organisations called for another day of nationwide strikes and demonstrations on Tuesday.
Issued on: 08/11/2026 - RFI
Thousands of people took to the streets of France to protest over poor conditions in the country's schools and the rising cost of living. AP Photo/Emma Da Silva - Emma Da Silva
By: Paul Myers
Sophie Vénétitay, secretary-general of the SNES-FSU, said her union was angry to be excluded from talks on Monday between government ministers and private-sector employers and employees.
"It's as if public-sector salaries, and therefore those in education, were not a priority and could be put off until a few days later," Vénétitay told French broadcaster RMC.
"We have seen that the government is very responsive to pressure. It responded to pressure from secondary-school students.
"The objective is to maintain pressure on the government."
Ministers will meet secondary-school and university student representatives to discuss education and Parcoursup – the university entrance platform – in a separate meeting on Monday
Public-sector unions, including those representing teachers, are due to hold talks with the government on 13 November.
“The protest movement is in a position of strength, the government is in a position of weakness and is beginning to back down,” the inter-union alliance of the CGT, FSU, FO, SUD, USL, UNEF, Union étudiante, FAGE and FSE said in a statement on Saturday.
"Now is the time to step up the mobilisation by continuing to put pressure on the government."
The call for further demonstrations came as thousands of people took to the streets across the country on Saturday to complain about the poor conditions in schools and the rising cost of living.
Arrests during nationwide protests
The Interior Ministry said 360 people were arrested during the protests.
Saturday's rallies came 48 hours after a general strike over the same issues.
Some 70,000 police and gendarmes were deployed Saturday to prevent a repeat of the violence that marred the first protests on 17 October.
Authorities said they expected up to 170,000 people to demonstrate nationwide during the fourth consecutive Saturday of rallies including 60,000 in Paris.
But the interior ministry reported 146,000 people.
Unions march in Paris
Trade unions staged a march along a traditional route, from the Place de la Republique in central Paris to Place de la Nation in the east of the city.
But the Yellow Vests movement – a group whose protests shook Emmanuel Macron's government in 2018 – called for a rival demonstration at the Place de la Concorde in central Paris, near the president's official residence and the lower house of parliament. However, the protest was banned by the authorities.
In Lyon, south-eastern France, police fired tear gas to disperse several hundred people in the city centre blocking a road during an unauthorised gathering.
Investigations into police response
The police response to the high school pupil protests and at the Saturday demonstrations has faced criticism for being heavy-handed.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez told French MPs on the National Assembly's law committee last month that the national police inspectorate had launched 18 inquiries into police conduct during the demonstrations.
On Friday, the international news agency AFP called for protection for its journalists after it reported several instances of alleged police brutality against its reporters.
Press freedom watchdog Reporters Without Borders said it had recorded 40 cases of journalists being obstructed in their coverage of the demonstrations by members of the security forces, including 21 cases involving physical violence.
Local businesses are also feeling the pain. "All this can't go on, otherwise I think it will be a disaster before long," said Paris shop manager Jean-Emile Moulinier, whose store lies along the main protest route.
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