French Unions Call Nationwide Strikes, Protests Demanding Smic Increase
Current overview (not historical)
Five major French unions jointly launched a nationwide day of strikes and protests, planning and organising more than 250 independent actions and expecting between 500,000 and 700,000 demonstrators to march. The unions said they are demanding an increase in the hourly minimum wage, Smic, from €12.31, and a net monthly rise of €100. Authorities deployed 70,000 police and gendarmes for the national mobilisation. The industrial action closed 81 high schools and left about 17.5% of primary schools affected by strike action.
Written with AI from the reporting · updated 11/5/2026
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- 1Unclassified fact stationNov 5, 00:00recorded Nov 5, 18:49single sourcerevised
法国工会发起全国罢工和抗议行动
Read original source ↗ BBC WorldReplay this moment in the explorerEvidence & revisions · 1 source records
- Subject：
- 法国五大工会联盟
- Action：
- 发起
- Object：
- 全国罢工和抗议行动
- Occurred (fact side)：
- Nov 5, 00:00
- Published (valid side)：
- Nov 5, 18:26
- First seen (known side)：
- Nov 5, 18:49
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- BBC WorldRelated fact: single sourceSource report revisedFrench unions stage nationwide strikes and protests, seeking higher wages and protected public services
Report first recorded Nov 5, 18:49
Five French unions have joined a national day of strikes and protests, with more than 250 actions planned for 5 November. Authorities expect 500,000 to 700,000 demonstrators across France, including tens of thousands in Paris, and have deployed 70,000 police and gendarmes. The unions are demanding higher wages to counter the cost of living, protected public services, and an increase in the minimum wage, Smic, currently €12.31 an hour; CFDT head Marylise Léon said workers are asking for a net increase of €100 a month. The action has closed 81 high schools and affected about 17.5% of primary schools, with disruption also reported in hospitals and public transport. Workers have been asked to halt production at oil refineries, and France is expected to import more electricity than it produces on Thursday because of disruption at nuclear plants. The government has released 10 million barrels of diesel from strategic reserves to lower fuel costs and promised to reform the Parcoursup university admissions platform, eventually replacing it by 2028. A revived yellow-vest movement has called for further blockades and protests on Friday and Saturday.
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- 10Nov 5, 19:00
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