Bérminimum

Bérminimum is a French term used to describe the lowest legally required wage paid to employees. In contemporary policy discourse, the official designation is SMIC, the Salaire Minimum Interprofessionnel de Croissance. The term bérminimum appears mainly in historical texts or informal commentary, serving to denote the concept of a wage floor or the bare minimum a worker must earn to meet basic living costs.

In France, the wage floor is established by law and revised regularly. The SMIC is determined by government decree following social consultation and is indexed to inflation and other economic indicators. It applies to most employees, with specified adjustments or exemptions for apprentices and trainees under the apprenticeship framework.

The bérminimum, or SMIC, is central to France's wage policy. Proponents point to poverty reduction and reduced wage inequality; critics argue that higher wage floors can raise labor costs and influence hiring. The system reflects the broader French model of social protection and labor regulation, with ongoing debates about levels, regional differences, and employment effects.