France's health workers given pay rises worth €8bn

Health workers have demonstrated for pay rises during the pandemic
AFP via Getty Images
Emily Lawford14 July 2020

The French government has agreed to give pay rises worth €8billion (£7.2 billion) to health workers, chiefly in recognition of their work fighting Covid-19.

After seven weeks of fraught negotiations with trade unions, the deal was signed on Monday.

During the coronavirus pandemic, health workers have been hailed as heroes in France.

However, they have asked for more than just praise, holding protests to demand pay rises and better funding for hospitals. Some demonstrators were fined for breaking social-distancing rules.

France has been one of Europe’s worst-affected countries by the pandemic, recording more than 200,000 infections and 30,000 deaths.

The French government has now reached an agreement that will raise the average health worker’s salary by €183 (£166) a month.

The agreement, which most trade unions have signed up to, was described by new French Prime Minister Jean Castex as a "historic moment for our health system".

"This is, first of all, recognition of those who have been on the front line in the fight against this epidemic," Mr Castex said at a signing ceremony.

"It's also a way of catching up the delay for each and every one - including perhaps myself - has their share of responsibility."

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Most of the pay-rise package will go towards the wages of nurses, care workers and non-medical staff.

About €450 million (£408 million) has been reserved for doctors who work only in the public sector.

The move to increase wages came yesterday, the day before Bastille Day. On today’s national public holiday, health workers will be praised for work combatting the virus.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the 14 July celebrations will be more muted than usual.

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A parade will be held on the Place de la Concorde in the capital Paris. Around 1,400 nurses, doctors and carers will watch as guests of honour.

French President Emmanuel Macron has had many disputes with unions over the first part of his term.

Before a recent cabinet reshuffle he indicated that he wanted to focus more on social justice as he concluded his term.

Former prime minister Edouard Philippe resigned earlier this month. Mr Castex, a civil servant who has had an active part in the government's response to coronavirus, was named as the new prime minister.

Mr Macron came to power three years ago. The next presidential election is due to be held in April 2022.

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