Gérald Darmanin put forward savings options on Sunday with the aim of making the French “work more”, a debate which has agitated the political class almost since the establishment of the 35-hour week in the 2000s.
Published on 08/10/2024 09:09 Updated on 08/10/2024 09:10
Reading time: 3 min Gérald Darmanin at the National Assembly on October 2, 2024. (LP/OLIVIER ARANDEL / MAXPPP)
Gérald Darmanin estimated, in an interview granted to the EchoesMonday October 6, that it was necessary to definitively end the 35 hours in the private sector and move to 36 or 37 hours in the public sector. According to him, it would be a good way to replenish the state coffers. Currently, the French work more than 35 hours. According to INSEEthe usual weekly working time for all employed people in France will exceed 37 hours in 2022. However, there are large disparities. If we only take full-time private sector employees, it’s almost 39 hours. Managers work more than 41 hours, and farmers work more than 50 hours.
These figures speak of effective work which, since COVID, has tended to increase. The 35 hours are therefore far from being general. In addition, since their introduction in the 2000s, there have been numerous laws to soften, unravel and adapt them.
The question that Gérald Darmanin asks is the cost of these hours, but this depends a lot on collective agreements and company agreements. Beyond 35 hours, we switch to overtime which is certainly more expensive and increased, but which can lead to exemptions from charges, compensation or RTT.
In reality, the system is so complex that today, in companies, no one really wants to touch the 35 hours. This is not a formal request from employers. Employers say they have taken so long to sign agreements and adapt the organization of work that they no longer want to go back on it.
In addition, it is a social bomb, the unions would immediately step up to the plate, and no one really wants to get into a harsh social conflict. Finally, this would further complicate recruitment, because employees all aspire to a better balance between personal and professional life. They are sensitive to the four-day week, or 32 hours.
However, compared to other countries, the French work less and that is the problem in reality. France’s deficit mainly concerns overall working hours throughout life. However, the French enter the job market late, and in terms of senior employment, the country is lagging behind. In any case, to finance the social system, the equation does not hold.
