After protests: France increases minimum wage by 1.6 percent

Paris. Under pressure from ongoing mass protests over a lack of purchasing power, France is increasing the minimum wage by 1.6 percent from December. This means that a minimum wage increase originally planned for January, which was not initially planned to this extent, will be brought forward by a month, said Labor Minister Jean-Pierre Farandou. The industries are now called upon to also increase the minimum wages in their industry collective agreements.

With the increase, the minimum wage will rise from around 1,867 euros to around 1,897 euros. Based on a 35-hour week, that's almost 30 euros more. Overall, the minimum wage has been increased by 5.3 percent this year, said the minister. In Germany, the minimum wage is currently around 2,343 euros gross.

After weeks of demonstrations, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu called a social conference with workers' and employers' associations to discuss issues related to purchasing power and wages. It's about seeing what is realistic and feasible, said the Prime Minister. In addition to the minimum wage increase, the government announced increases in a number of subsidies and aid.