France's minimum wage to rise 1.6% on 1 December, unions call it crumbs

The smic, France's minimum wage, goes up 1.6% on 1 December. The prime minister calls it a major rise, but unions say it falls far short of what workers need.

9 Nov 2026, 23:401 min read

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu speaking after a social conference at Matignon in Paris. — Image: Le Monde

France's minimum wage, the smic, will go up by 1.6% on 1 December. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced it on Monday 9 November after a social conference at Matignon (the prime minister's office). He called it the "second biggest rise in twenty years".

Unions immediately disputed that claim. The CGT, one of France's biggest trade unions, dismissed the increase as "crumbs".

Here is the background. On 1 January 2026, the smic rose by about 1.18%, to €1,823 gross per month. This new increase is an extra "coup de pouce" (a government boost) announced ahead of the usual schedule.

The government also extended the fuel bonus (prime carburant) and said it would push industry sectors to negotiate better wages. Student and high-school organisations walked out of the meeting, protesting plans to reform Parcoursup (France's university admissions platform).

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