The key facts

  • CGT has called for nationwide strikes and demonstrations on November 17
  • The government announced a 1.6% minimum wage increase from December 1 — to 1,502 euros net
  • The CGT considers the increase insufficient and demands +150 euros a month

A new day of mobilization after the social conference

The General Confederation of Labour of France (CGT) on Monday called for a new nationwide day of strikes and demonstrations on November 17, deeming the government's latest wage-raising measures insufficient. This was reported by Anadolu, citing the BFMTV channel. The call was made by CGT General Secretary Sophie Binet following the social conference held by Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu at the Hôtel Matignon to discuss wages and purchasing power.

The union's demands and the government's position

“We want to generalize wage increases. To do that, we need to generalize mobilization and generalize strikes: that is what must happen on November 17 and beyond, so that our demands are finally heard,” Binet said. She called the government-announced 1.6% minimum wage increase from December 1 inadequate: “Anger will not disappear simply because the government has announced a few extra euros on the minimum wage,” she said, demanding a monthly increase of 150 euros. The same day, Lecornu announced a 1.6% rise in the minimum wage along with measures to support purchasing power amid ongoing protests. According to Labour Minister Jean-Pierre Farandou, from December 1 the net monthly minimum wage will be 1,502 euros ($1,740). The Prime Minister described the increase as the second largest in France in 20 years, calling it “not merely symbolic,” and added that a larger increase would, in the long run, lead to significant job losses.

Context of the protests

Protests, driven by trade unions and youth representatives, continue across France over the cost of living, wages and the state of public services. The demonstrations began in mid-September over inadequate conditions and a lack of resources in high schools, then spread to other segments of society amid a revival of the “yellow vests” movement. Thus, the announcement of a wage increase has not defused the tension: the country's largest union has already set a date for a new mobilization, and November 17 will be a test of whether the government manages to lower the heat of the protests.