During a debate at the Fête de l'Humanité on September 12, Sophie Binet, general secretary of the CGT, highlighted a growing concern regarding the salaries of public sector workers in France. She pointed out that firefighters starting their careers earn 1,800 euros gross per month, while nurses earn 1,900 euros gross. These figures are below or only slightly above the gross monthly minimum wage (Smic), currently set at 1,867 euros. As of June 1, 2026, 862,000 public sector employees—about 3 in every 20—will have salaries falling below the Smic. This situation stems from the lack of regular revaluation of the index point, a unit used to determine civil servant salaries. Unlike the Smic, which is adjusted for inflation, civil servant salaries are only increased with the state’s approval, leading to a gradual decline in their starting wages. To avoid legal issues, the government provides a "differential allowance" to affected employees, which compensates for the gap between their salaries and the Smic. However, this does not resolve the underlying issue that public sector salary structures are becoming increasingly aligned with the minimum wage. This has been a major factor in the decision to hold a national strike on September 29, organized by a coalition of public sector unions, including the CGT, CFDT, and others. More than 150 demonstrations are planned across France, with firefighters in Paris joining the protests since September 27, demanding more resources after a series of severe summer fires. The index point for civil servants has not been significantly revalued since 2010, with the most recent increases being 3.5% in 2022 and 1.5% in 2023—both below the rate of inflation. As a result, the average net salary in the public sector has decreased by 0.6% between 2009 and 2023, when adjusted for inflation. Meanwhile, bonuses have become a larger part of civil servants’ pay, now making up about a quarter of their gross salary. However, these bonuses are criticized by the CGT for being unclear, inconsistent, and potentially discriminatory, especially between genders. Additionally, only a small portion of these bonuses is considered in pension calculations, and they often reflect extra duties or responsibilities, such as those tied to the "teacher's pact" or "priority education" allowances in the education sector. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has ignored calls for higher salaries, announcing a continuation of the index point freeze for 2027. This move is expected to save the government 2 billion euros in public spending. However, the CGT estimates that allowing salary increases could generate between 1.2 and 1.4 billion euros in additional revenue through taxes and contributions. While the Prime Minister has set a target of 54 billion euros in public spending reductions for 2027, it appears that reducing the number of civil servants, rather than increasing their pay, may be his preferred approach. A recent report by the Court of Auditors suggested options such as not replacing half of the public sector retirees and slowing promotions, which could save 18.2 billion euros by 2032. The Prime Minister is expected to present his budget on September 30, the day after the planned public sector demonstration.