The minimum wage at 1,500 euros: an insufficient boost for unions

This text corresponds to part of the transcription of the report above. Click on the video to watch it in full. In the heart of Matignon, the question was settled.

The minimum wage will cross a symbolic threshold and rise precisely to 1,501.94 euros net per month. In total for 2026, to keep up with inflation, the minimum wage will have increased by 5.3%. “This will be the second largest increase in 20 years.

I think we should not despise it", indicates Sébastien Lecornu, Prime Minister. Around 24 euros net more each month, 15 euros automatic linked to inflation and 9 euros of help from the government. This remains far from the hundred euros demanded by the unions.

“We came to look for answers to the unprecedented social mobilization of young people and workers. The government has only announced crumbs to us,” reacts Sophie Binet, general secretary of the CGT. “A constraint” for bosses As of December 1, 2.1 million workers will benefit from this increase in the minimum wage.

But the government is calling on all professional branches to begin negotiations by the beginning of December to increase salaries. An effort required of employers who are having difficulty getting through. “It is an additional constraint, it must be said, for businesses which already have to deal with the economic slowdown and inflation,” regrets Michel Picon, president of U2P (Union of local businesses and businesses).

In return, the government could once again reduce employer contributions on the lowest salaries. For purchasing power, he also announces further tax relief for overtime and continues to encourage companies to pay the fuel bonus in 2027. As for civil servants, their unions will be received at Matignon on Friday November 13 to discuss their remuneration.

Machine-translated from French