France Accelerates Minimum Wage Hike to Calm Civil Unrest

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced on Monday that a planned 1.6% increase in the national minimum wage will be brought forward from January to December. The adjustment raises the monthly minimum wage to a net €1,502, representing a €24 increase. The decision follows negotiations with trade unions and business leaders aimed at defusing a cost-of-living crisis that sparked riots in major cities on October 17.

Trade unions have rejected the measure as insufficient. The French Democratic Confederation of Labour demanded a €100 increase, while the General Confederation of Labour demanded a 10% rise. The General Confederation of Labour has called for new protests on November 17.

The government's action occurs five months before a presidential election. President Emmanuel Macron is barred from seeking another term, and far-right leader Marine Le Pen currently leads in opinion polls.