As the presidential election is fast approaching and inflation is taking hold in the French landscape, the secretary general of the CFDT, Laurent Berger, judges in an interview with the
Journal du Dimanche
that purchasing power is a
“essential concern in the world of work
[which]
must become a subject in the campaign.
Because it conceals another: low wages
.
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According to him, this question is “
central
”.
The secretary general of the CFDT explains that the resurgence of this theme is notably linked to “
the rise in inflation and a growing weight of constrained expenditure (energy, food, housing).
Laurent Berger regrets that this theme is not more prominent in the campaign.
“
No doubt because there is a form of disconnection of public debate, including media, with the reality experienced by citizens, and with the daily lives of workers in particular
,” he explains.
For him, one of the ways to increase the purchasing power of the French would be to “
force the branches to increase their minima in the three months following a new rise in the minimum wage.
Otherwise, there would be a financial penalty.
And when the distribution of the wealth produced is unequal, we review the exemptions from social contributions which go up to 1.6 Smic.
What is the lever of the state?
The conditionality of the aid paid.
It must also raise the value of the index point in the Civil Service.
»
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For the secretary general of the CFDT “
there is a responsibility of the public authorities.
But also businesses.
The state cannot do everything.
Laurent Berger notably raises the question
of “the counterpart of public aid paid to companies
”, by highlighting that “
the State does not have to fill the gaps of companies
”.
