France's CGT union calls for renewed nationwide mobilization on Nov. 17

France's General Confederation of Labour (CGT) on Monday called for a new nationwide day of strikes and demonstrations on Nov. 17, criticizing the government's latest measures to increase wages as insufficient, according to broadcaster BFMTV.

CGT Secretary-General Sophie Binet made the call following a social conference convened by Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu at Matignon, the prime minister's office, to discuss wages and purchasing power.

"We want to generalize the wage increases. For that, we need to generalize the mobilization and generalize the strikes: that is what must happen on November 17 and afterwards, so that our demands are finally heard," she said.

Binet described the government's announcement of a 1.6% increase in the minimum wage from Dec. 1 as inadequate.

"Anger won't disappear just because the government has announced a few extra euros on the minimum wage," she argued and demanded a €150 monthly increase.

Lecornu on Monday announced a 1.6% increase in the minimum wage and measures to support purchasing power, as social mobilization continued across the country.

The minimum wage increase, announced by Labor Minister Jean-Pierre Farandou, will take effect on Dec. 1, bringing the net monthly minimum wage to €1,502 ($1,740).

Lecornu described the 1.6% increase as the second-largest minimum wage rise in France in 20 years, saying it was "not just symbolic."

He also argued that a larger increase would have led to significant job losses in the long term.

The announcement came amid ongoing protests across France, driven by trade unions and youth representatives over the cost of living, wages and public services.
The demonstrations initially broke out in mid-September over inadequate conditions and resources in high schools, before spreading to other segments of society alongside a resurgence of the “yellow vest” movement.