Barnier's speech: the anticipated increase in the minimum wage welcomed by unions who remain cautious

In his general policy statement to MPs, Mr Barnier announced a 2% increase in the minimum wage from 1 November, in anticipation of the 1 January date.

"This is a first victory won by employees which shows that mobilisation is paying off," rejoiced CGT leader Sophie Binet, after a day of mobilisations on Tuesday across France to demand, in particular, a wage increase.

However, Ms Binet demands that the government "increase the minimum wage once again on 1 January", as provided for in the texts, and "revalue the index point for civil servants, the pensions of retirees, and salaries in the sectors".

For the CFDT, "28 euros (or 2%) more from November is not negligible, but it is not the alpha and omega". A "favorable but insufficient signal", also judges FO.

Mr Barnier also gave the unions and employers back control to negotiate "our unemployment compensation system", effectively burying the controversial reform of the previous government.

"The CFDT has called for negotiations, let's go!", the general secretary of the leading trade union, Marylise Léon, told AFP, hoping to "start as quickly as possible."

"They are giving us a hand, that's good," added Cyril Chabanier, leader of the CFTC, questioned by AFP.

François Hommeril (CFE-CGC) told AFP that he had a generally "positive" impression, but he is "waiting to see" in what framework the negotiations on unemployment insurance will take place, particularly on the financial level.

On the increase in the minimum wage, which does not affect executives much, he points out a measure that is nevertheless "a bit cosmetic" and "does not resolve the issue of purchasing power".

On the subject of the much-criticised pension reform, for which Mr Barnier said he was open to "reasonable and fair adjustments", while respecting budgetary balances, the unions are more critical.

"I call on the Prime Minister to immediately implement his declarations of good intentions" and "respect the vote of the deputies so that they can repeal the pension reform," responded Sophie Binet.

"We must put everything on the table" including the case of "multiple pensioners, hardship", responds the CFDT, which maintains that "64 years is a no!"

"We continue to consider that this reform is unfair," insisted Cyril Chabanier, who spoke of the CFTC's "strong disappointment" in the face of Mr. Barnier's refusal to repeal it.

The same tone is heard from FO, which continues, in a press release, to "demand the abolition of retirement at 64 and the extension of the contribution period" as well as "the maintenance of special regimes".

Generally circumspect, Laurent Escure for the Unsa estimated on X that Mr. Barnier's speech "does not mark a break and remains vague."