Europe 1 with AFP 3:03 p.m., April 20, 2022

The Minister of Transformation and the Public Service Amélie de Montchalin had pledged to maintain "whatever happens" the minimum wage in the public service above the minimum wage.

This Wednesday, the decree activating the salary increase of public officials was presented to the Council of Ministers.

Four days before the second round of the presidential election, the decree which enacts the salary increase for public officials with the lowest salaries was presented to the Council of Ministers on Wednesday, confirming a promise made in mid-March.

Last month, the Minister of Transformation and Public Service Amélie de Montchalin pledged to maintain "whatever happens" the minimum wage in the public service above the minimum wage.

700,000 agents concerned

"It will thus be immediately revalued if we notice a rise in the consumer price index of more than 2% compared to the last change in the amount of the minimum wage in January," the ministry said.

The measure, which concerns 700,000 agents according to the ministry, aims to mitigate the impact of the high inflation observed in recent months (4.5% in March over one year).

The examination of the decree comes five days after the announcement of an upcoming mechanical revaluation of the minimum wage for private sector employees, up to 2.65%.

From May 1, it will reach 1,302.64 euros net.

In France, the purchasing power of workers in the private sector paid the minimum wage is protected by an automatic revaluation mechanism enshrined in law, which ensures that the minimum wage increases at least as fast as inflation affecting households with the lowest incomes. the weakest.

An automaticity that does not benefit public officials, who are also waiting for the fulfillment of the minister's flagship promise, the thawing of the index point.

In mid-March, Amélie de Montchalin had undertaken to grant a general increase to the 5.7 million public officials "before the summer" but after the presidential election.

Pillar of the remuneration of civil servants and contract employees, the index point has not been revalued since the beginning of 2017, the ministry favoring until recently increases targeted at certain populations of public officials.

The minimum wage, on the other hand, has been raised twice in recent months, in October and then in January.