France raises workers' wages to appease protests
French President announces increase in minimum monthly wage by 113 USD, and postpones tax increase on pensioners.
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| President Emmanuel Macron speaks on television on December 10. Photo: AFP. |
President Emmanuel Macron announced a series of measures to calm the yellow vest protest movement in a televised address yesterday. "I accept my share of responsibility. This is the result of a chronic illness that has lasted for 40 years,"AFPquoted President Macron as saying.
The French president announced a minimum wage increase of $113 per month for workers. The increase will come from the state budget and businesses will not have to pay it. The current minimum wage in France is $1,345 after taxes.
The Elysee Palace boss also announced the suspension of a tax increase package aimed at pensioners and a tax exemption for overtime pay.
The biggest protest in France in five decades began on November 17, when tens of thousands of yellow vests took to the streets to call for the government to cut fuel taxes and adjust economic policies. They said President Macron did not care about ordinary people but only benefited the rich.
About 10,000 people flooded the streets of Paris on December 8, smashing and burning cars and looting stores, causing chaos. The number of protesters across France reached 125,000, of whom more than 1,700 were arrested and four people died.
