Politics · France · 1 hr ago
France brings forward 1.6% minimum wage rise to December
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu moved the minimum wage increase forward to December, instead of January.
The change was announced after talks with unions and business leaders, amid weeks of protests across France.
The unrest began with complaints about underfunded schools and grew into wider anger over the cost of living.
The 1.6% rise will bring the minimum wage to about €1,502 a month after tax, roughly €24 more than before.
The increase includes an automatic inflation adjustment and an additional amount set by the government.
Unions say the rise is far below their demands: the CFDT sought €100 more and the CGT about €150.
They have called for protests to continue, while the government says its announcement opens further discussions.
France will raise the minimum wage by 1.6% from December 1, bringing forward a planned increase.
The increase includes a 0.6% government boost on top of a 1% automatic rise linked to inflation.
The monthly minimum wage will reach about €1,502, nearly €24 more than before.
The government says the move responds to cost-of-living pressures and social unrest.
Unions say the increase is insufficient, while two economists argue it could harm employment and efforts to reduce poverty.
- Who
- The French government, led by Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, announced the increase.
- What
- The minimum wage will rise by 1.6%, including a 0.6% government boost.
- When
- From December 1, 2026.
- Where
- France.
- Why
- The government says the move responds to cost-of-living pressures and protests.
French government
Trade unions
Adequacy of increase
French government
The government presented the increase as a meaningful boost.
Trade unions
Unions said the increase was insufficient.
Purpose and impact
French government
The government said the measure responds to cost-of-living pressures and would not destroy jobs.
Trade unions
The unions called for further mobilization over the government’s announcements.
The minimum wage was raised by 2.4% through the inflation-linked mechanism.
Social mobilization began, with high school students taking part.
Consumer prices had risen 3.4% over 12 months, according to the economists’ article.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced the 1.6% increase after talks with unions and business leaders.
The minimum wage increase is due to take effect.
- Total increase
- 1.6%
- Government boost
- 0.6%
- Automatic inflation-linked rise
- 1%
- New monthly minimum wage
- About €1,502
- Increase compared with current level
- Nearly €24 per month
9 sources
Le gouvernement annonce une hausse du smic de 1,6 % à partir du 1ᵉʳ décembre
Augmentation du smic, allègements de charges pour les entreprises... Ce qu'il faut retenir des annonces du gouvernement à l'issue de la conférence sociale
French PM brings forward 1.6% increase in minimum wage in bid to calm protests
French PM brings forward minimum wage hike to calm protesters
French Government Boosts Minimum Wage in Response to Protests
What people are saying
We will bring forward the increase in the minimum wage to December 1 and raise it to 1.6% (...) It passes the €1,500 mark, reaching €1,502.
I think we should not despise this increase.
The government has announced only crumbs.
The boost to the minimum wage is bad news for employment and the fight against poverty.
Posts on X
🔴 🗣"[Nous allons] anticiper la hausse du Smic au 1er décembre et porter cette augmentation à 1,6 % (...) On passe la barre des 1 500 euros, on est à 1 502 euros. Au cours de l’année 2026, le Smic aura augmenté de 5,3 %“, affirme Jean-Pierre Farandou, ministre du Travail.