Politics · France · 2 hrs ago
French government weighs early minimum-wage rise as unions seek more
France’s government is considering bringing forward the minimum-wage increase normally due on January 1.
The adjustment could be about 1%, or around €15 net per month, according to information cited in the reports.
The CFDT union says that would be too little and is calling for a €100 net increase; the CGT wants a 10% rise, and the UNSA wants an increase from November.
CFDT leader Marylise Léon was due to meet Labour Minister Jean-Pierre Farandou on Friday to discuss purchasing power.
Medef president Patrick Martin warned that a wage rise alongside planned changes to employer contribution relief could add to companies’ labour costs.
The government has not announced a decision, and the unions’ proposals remain demands rather than agreed measures.
The French government is considering bringing forward the minimum-wage increase due on 1 January, possibly by a few weeks.
The increase could be 1%, or about €15 net a month, according to information cited by BFM.
CFDT leader Marylise Léon said the possible increase was insufficient and called for a €100 net rise.
The CGT is calling for a 10% increase, while the UNSA wants an increase from 1 November and an additional boost.
Medef president Patrick Martin warned that a wage rise alongside planned changes to employer contributions would increase costs for businesses.
- Who
- The French government is considering an early increase to the minimum wage. The CFDT, CGT and UNSA want larger increases, while Medef has warned about the effect on businesses.
- What
- The government is weighing an advance of the minimum-wage increase due on 1 January, which could be 1% or about €15 net per month. Unions are seeking larger rises.
- When
- The proposal was reported on 23 October 2026. The regular increase is due on 1 January.
- Where
- France.
- Why
- The government is considering bringing forward the increase in response to the crisis, while unions say a larger rise is needed to address purchasing power.
French unions
Medef
Minimum-wage increase
French unions
The CFDT is seeking a €100 net rise, the CGT a 10% rise, and the UNSA an increase from 1 November with an additional boost.
Medef
Medef president Patrick Martin warned that an early, larger increase could add to business costs alongside planned cuts to employer contribution relief.
The salary issue was discussed at Élisabeth Borne’s salary conference.
Reports said the government was considering bringing forward the minimum-wage increase due on 1 January.
Marylise Léon was due to meet Labour Minister Jean-Pierre Farandou to discuss purchasing-power issues.
New demonstrations against the high cost of living were expected, according to Boursorama’s report.
- Possible increase
- 1%, or about €15 net per month
- Regular increase date
- 1 January
- CFDT demand
- €100 net increase
- CGT demand
- 10% increase
- UNSA demand
- Increase from 1 November
- Medef estimate
- €11.5 billion in additional labour costs under the 2027 social security budget proposal
3 sources
"On va évidemment en discuter": une hausse du Smic avant le 1er janvier "fait partie des débats", selon Roland Lescure
Une hausse du Smic pour "acheter la paix sociale" ? Patrick Martin sonne l'alerte
What people are saying
We want a real shock.
In the name of buying, in a way, social peace in the street, we will create chaos in businesses.
We are asking for a 10% increase in the minimum wage, as well as the indexation of all wages to prices.
What we want is not only for it to bring forward the increase to 1 January; what we want is a real boost to the minimum wage.