The demand for a decent wage is not just a matter of controversial political philosophy and trade union demands. It is also embodied in Michelin’s announcement in the spring of 2024 that it would guarantee a decent wage for all its employees worldwide.
In the midst of the French debate on the smicardisation[1] of wage earners, purchasing power and the working poor, the multinational, founded in 1889, is breaking new ground. Its proposal is part of a dual tradition. The first is the historical tradition of a company committed to social protection, in the tradition of paternalism. Under this outdated name, which today has a negative connotation, lies a series of social projects that the tyre giant first deployed in its Clermont-Ferrand region, with nurseries, clinics, housing assistance and other benefits for families. Secondly, Michelin’s announcements confirm its commitment to a much more recent movement, namely that of companies around the world that are committed to establishing
