The purchasing power of wages thus declined by 0

"The purchasing power of households is never much progress for six years", said Thierry Breton, Minister of economy, the release of the early estimate of growth in the second quarter, on 11 August. Since then, there is no day without that trade unions, opposition or forecasters dispute this allegation.

According to the Insee, the increase in purchasing power, all revenues combined (salaries, social, retreats, benefits, annuities, etc.) is expected to reach 2.4 in 2006. The performance is already lower than that of 2002, where the index had increased by 3.6.

"Degradation".

More radical unions and the opposition will even mention a "deterioration" of purchasing power. It was actually held if one takes into account the evolution of the purchasing power on only payroll. In the second quarter, the monthly base salary increased by 0.5, while the consumer price for the entire household, non-smoking, have increased by 0.9. The purchasing power of wages thus declined by 0.4 of a point on the quarter. Remains, however, the increase of 0.9 over a year.

The increase in the basic monthly salary does not, moreover, that per capita wage increase. It is due to the increase of the wage, itself largely due to the increase in employment in the second quarter ( 51.900 positions in the second quarter). "In 2004 and 2005, the increase in purchasing power was almost full manner by the increase in wages." "In 2006, this increase seems be explained in equal parts by the increases in wages and employment", said Eric Dubois, responsible for the situation to the Insee.

This increase is therefore not felt individually by households. "There is a clear difference between what people feel and what measurement index", it recognizes that the Ministry of labour. Households are particularly more sensitive to the routine and repetitive, purchases prices rise faster than the average. The cost of the rare purchases is part, rather down, like television, photographic and computer equipment that decline of 9.1 over a year. Households are also very attentive to the outbreak of the rents ( 2.46 over a year), prices of energy ( 8.1 over a year) and in particular gas ( 5.8).

Public fare increases

Thus, the PS denounced "numerous" public fare increases intervened in recent months citing, inter alia, the establishment of a hospital package of 18 euros on heavy acts or the reimbursement of new drugs. The price index traces, in addition, the budget of a French that does not exist in reality. For example, rent, water and removal of garbage post increased by 3.4 over a year, according to Insee. It is a whole France average does that partially reflected strong increases recorded in large metropolitan areas. In addition, this position weighs only barely 6 of the index, while the weight of housing can represent more than a quarter of the monthly budget of a household.

Based on this observation, some unions now produce their own estimation of purchasing power. "By focusing on the essential expenditures (rent, electricity, food, etc.), we see a deterioration in the purchasing power of 0.5 over one year", thus advance Jacques Voisin, Chairman of the CFTC.