France: Unions call for general strike on November 5

CGT Sébastien Lecornu general strike minimum wage social protests

French labor unions, led by the CGT, have called for a general strike on November 5, 2026, following a meeting with Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu that failed to produce concrete concessions. The CGT is demanding a 10% increase in the minimum wage, a freeze on the prices of fuel and essential goods, and increased support for companies facing layoffs.

The call for mobilization follows large-scale demonstrations on October 17, where approximately 800,000 people participated across France. While some protests resulted in clashes and property damage, union leaders emphasize that the movement is driven by rising living costs, stagnant wages, and precarious social conditions.

In response to the unrest, the government has held meetings with political parties and student organizations to discuss maintaining order and addressing social demands. However, political leaders and union representatives have expressed dissatisfaction with the government's approach, with some describing the recent high-level discussions as unproductive.

Entities

CFDT · CGT · Confédération Générale des Travailleurs · Confédération française démocratique du travail · Emmanuel Macron · France · Matignon · Sophie Binet · Sébastien Lecornu

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[DISPUTED] The CGT has called for a general strike on November 5. berita.rtm.gov.my · www.zlv.lu · rr.pt · lesgiletsjaunesdeforcalquier.fr · www.nlto.fr · +6 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] Over 2,000 people have been arrested due to violence during protests.
[○ 1 SOURCE] More than 500,000 people participated in recent large-scale protests in France.
[● 3 SOURCES] The CGT is demanding a 10% increase in the minimum wage. berita.rtm.gov.my · www.zlv.lu · nachrichten.fr
[● 2 SOURCES] The CGT demands a freeze on the prices of fuel and essential goods. berita.rtm.gov.my · www.zlv.lu
[○ 1 SOURCE] Curfews were announced in parts of Paris and Lille.
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Ligue des droits de l’Homme requested an UN mission to observe protests. www.ldh-france.org
[DISPUTED] Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu met with unions on October 21. www.zlv.lu · rr.pt · lesgiletsjaunesdeforcalquier.fr · de.euronews.com · entrevue.fr · +5 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] The government proposed a freeze on prices for fuel and essential goods. www.zlv.lu
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Prefect of Calvados banned gatherings in the center of Caen for October 24.
[● 5 SOURCES] More than 800,000 people participated in demonstrations on October 17. montceau-news.com · www.nlto.fr · ftm-cgt.fr · www.quieryavenir.fr
[● 5 SOURCES] Sophie Binet demanded a 10 percent increase in the minimum wage. www.zlv.lu · www.breitbart.com · berita.rtm.gov.my · nachrichten.fr · rr.pt