Macron promises minimum wage rise in response to yellow vest protests

France’s President Emmanuel Macron has promised a minimum wage rise and tax concessions in response to weeks of violent protests.

France has seen four weekends of violent protests against fuel tax rises, living costs and other issues.

Macron in a televised address, condemned the violence but said the protesters’ anger was “deep, and in many ways legitimate”.

He said the minimum wage would increase by €100 per month from 2019.

A planned tax increase for low-income pensioners would be cancelled, overtime pay would no longer be taxed, and employers would be encouraged to pay a tax-free end of year bonus to employees, he added.

He however refused to reinstate a tax on the wealthy, saying “this would weaken us, we need to create jobs”.

Paul Ayorinde 

Written by BoomRadioNG