Politics · France · 9 hrs ago
CGT leader demands 10% rise in France’s minimum wage
CGT leader Sophie Binet called for a €150 net monthly rise in France’s minimum wage, about 10%.
She spoke before a social conference in Matignon, where the government is meeting unions and employer groups amid recent protests and strikes.
The minimum wage is currently €1,477 net per month, and the government appears open to raising it above €1,500 from December 1.
Binet says a smaller increase would not address workers’ anger; the CFDT union is asking for a €100 net rise.
The government says a large increase could cost jobs, and Labour Minister Jean-Pierre Farandou said a €1,700 net minimum wage could destroy more than 230,000 jobs.
The meeting is intended to address wider social demands, not only the minimum wage.
The government and social partners will discuss what increase to make, but no final decision is stated.
CGT chief Sophie Binet said a small increase in France’s minimum wage would not ease wider social anger.
The union is calling for an immediate net monthly increase of €150, or 10%.
The government appeared open to raising the wage above €1,500 net from €1,477, potentially from 1 December.
Binet said workers wanted broader answers to the mobilisations, not just a few extra euros.
The government warned that a large increase could harm employment.
- Who
- Sophie Binet, secretary-general of the CGT union, and the French government.
- What
- Binet said a modest minimum-wage rise would not ease social anger; the CGT is demanding a net monthly increase of €150.
- When
- 9 November 2026, before a social conference.
- Where
- Matignon, Paris, where the conference was due to take place; Binet spoke on France Inter.
- Why
- The CGT says a small rise is insufficient amid social anger and mobilisations. The government says a large increase could harm employment.
CGT
French government
Minimum-wage increase
CGT
The CGT demands an immediate 10% increase, or €150 net per month.
French government
The government is open to an increase but says it should not harm employment.
Employment effects
CGT
Binet said higher wages could benefit the economy by supporting consumption.
French government
Labour Minister Jean-Pierre Farandou said raising the minimum wage to €1,700 net would destroy more than 230,000 jobs.
Binet said a threshold had been crossed, with record strike rates, particularly in the public sector.
Binet spoke on France Inter before a social conference between the government and social partners.
The government appeared open to raising the minimum wage above €1,500 net from its current €1,477.
- CGT demand
- €150 net more per month, or 10%
- Current minimum wage
- €1,477 net
- Possible new level
- More than €1,500 net
- Government warning
- A €1,700 net minimum wage would destroy more than 230,000 jobs, according to Jean-Pierre Farandou
- Sources’ figures
- BFM Business reported an automatic January rise of 2.2%; franceinfo reported 1.2%
2 sources
What people are saying
La colère ne va pas disparaître parce que le gouvernement aura annoncé quelques euros supplémentaires sur le smic.
La conférence sociale n'est pas une opération pièces jaunes
Sur le montant de l’augmentation du Smic, je ne proposerai pas de mesure qui nuirait à l’emploi.