Unions dismiss France's 24-euro minimum wage increase

File photo: France's Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu addresses the media during a press conference at the end of a social conference with trade unions and employers' organizations focused on purchasing power and wages French prime minister Sebastien Lecornu on Monday announced a modest increase in the minimum wage from December 1 in response to mounting cost-of-living protests, but trade unions swiftly dismissed the move as inadequate, saying it fell far short of workers' demands.Following meetings with representatives of employers' organisations and trade unions, Lecornu announced a 1.6% increase, which will raise the monthly minimum wage by around 24 euros to approximately 1,502 euros net. The increase comprises a 1% adjustment for inflation and an additional 0.6% boost.The announcement comes after weeks of demonstrations over wages, rising living costs and deteriorating public services. The protests, which began with high school blockades in September, have since expanded into a broader movement involving students, workers and other groups dissatisfied with the government's economic and political response.The proposed increase falls considerably short of demands from France's l...