Isabelle, 49, has worked for the same company for 26 years in Laval. She is a logistics worker. She lives alone and receives only 1300 euros per month. Rent, groceries, bills, she pays attention to everything: “I pay attention to water, heating, electricity, everything. I don’t consume unnecessary things. I turn off the devices so that they don’t consume and to avoid paying too much.”
In this situation, it is difficult to think about hobbies: “I don’t have much because it’s expensive too. The few are free hobbies like running or cycling, but not other hobbies like going to the cinema because I don’t have the means.“Isabelle tries to go on vacation once a year, but does not allow herself any extras the rest of the time:”sometimes, I would like to treat myself to a little restaurant but I can’t. I keep the money for something else that serves me in everyday life. I buy myself what I really need and everything else, we don’t.“
The worker receives the activity bonus, 121 euros each month, but the account is not there for Isabelle: “no, that revolts me because already life is not that. We work, it’s to earn a living. If it’s to earn a pittance, I don’t find that normal.”
Isabelle is due to meet her boss on Monday to try to get a small pay rise.