Two-thirds not expecting pay rise

ALMOST two-thirds of French people are not expecting a pay rise this year, according to a new survey.

The poll of 1,000 workers by research body BVA, published in Les Echos found only 37% of people think it likely that their pay will grow in 2010.

Public sector workers and low earners were more pessimistic than those on higher salaries or working for private companies. Three quarters of employees earning less than €1,500 a month said a pay rise looked unlikely.

A separate poll of 300 large French firms found the average rise among those companies that will be increasing pay this year is about 2.3%.