Uber and its competitors in France have temporarily increased the minimum hourly wage for ride-hailing drivers in response to rising fuel prices. The companies, including Uber and others such as Bolt, Freenow, Heetch, and LeCab, announced on Tuesday that they would raise the guaranteed minimum hourly wage for drivers in October and November. According to a joint statement by Uber and the French Federation of On-demand Passenger Transport (FFTPR), the guaranteed minimum monthly income was increased from 30 euros to 32 euros per hour of activity. This measure applies for a "two-month period," as stated by the platforms. The platforms explained that the increase is intended to support drivers' incomes amid rising fuel prices. For a driver traveling 6,000 kilometers per month, the guaranteed minimum, calculated over the entire month, would result in an additional 300 euros per month. This guaranteed minimum comes from a sectoral agreement signed in 2023 with driver representatives. Some drivers who previously earned enough to not be affected by the 30-euro minimum will now benefit from the 32-euro rate. According to the platforms' calculations, this increase should double the number of beneficiaries of the guarantee. For affected drivers, the additional amount paid will average more than 200 euros per month, which is a 30% increase compared to the average amount paid under the current guarantee. An organization representing drivers, Union-Indépendants, assessed the measure as "very insufficient." In a statement, the organization noted that for a ride-hailing driver traveling about 6,000 kilometers per month, the increase in fuel prices represents an average of nearly 300 euros in additional costs per month. This suggests that the wage increase does not fully offset the rising costs drivers face. Uber expressed satisfaction with the compromise. "This measure illustrates our commitment to supporting drivers in their daily lives, while confirming the importance of accelerating the transition to electric vehicles less dependent on fluctuations in fuel prices," said Laureline Serieys, CEO of Uber France, in a statement. The company emphasized the need to move toward more sustainable transportation solutions to reduce reliance on traditional fuel sources.