2024-11-08 17:54:00
The social partners are slowly moving towards a compromise on unemployment insurance. And this, despite proposals from the management side which briefly strained the situation this week. Employer organizations and unions met on Friday, November 8, for a third and penultimate negotiating session which clarified certain positions.
On Wednesday, the employers decided to spice up the session with the presentation of a draft agreement in which it proposed in particular to toughen the conditions of compensation for intermittent workers in the entertainment industry by increasing the number of hours necessary to be compensated. Faced with the unanimous revolt of the unions, however, the employers quickly backed down on this point on Friday morning.
We can easily imagine that the government only moderately approved an idea that risked provoking a large-scale social movement. A few hundred workers gathered in the morning in front of the headquarters of Unédic – the joint body which manages unemployment insurance –, where the meeting took place, to protest against the employers’ proposal.
Request from the Minister of Labor
Friday’s discussions therefore continued on the other proposals of the draft “amendment to the agreement on unemployment insurance” signed on November 23, 2023 between employers and the CFDT, FO and the CFTC. A compromise that Gabriel Attal’s government refused to validate in the spring of this year, but which serves as the basis for this new negotiation. The social partners must, however, honor a request from the Minister of Labor, Astrid Panosyan-Bouvet, to take measures to “generate 400 million euros in additional savings annually”.
The draft agreement thus envisages reviewing the rules concerning cross-border workers – people residing in France, but having had employment in a neighboring country. The subject has been on the table for several weeks because the current provisions are expensive, in particular because they provide for calculating the benefit based on the remuneration received which is, in certain cases, much higher than in France, particularly for those who have worked in Switzerland or Luxembourg.
The text provides that the allowance of these employees will now be calculated according to a “coefficient taking into account differences in average salaries between the State of employment” and France. It is also proposed to set up specific monitoring of these people, with more intense support and taking into account French remuneration in job offers. “We are well aware that it is by combining all these levers that we can estimate that we will make savings in order to meet the minister’s request”observes the CFDT negotiator, Olivier Guivarch, who specifies that “responsibilities” must then “to be taken by the government”.
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**Interview with Denis Gravouil: Unemployment Insurance Negotiations in France**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Denis. As the confederal secretary of the CGT, can you provide us with an overview of the recent negotiations regarding unemployment insurance in France?
**Denis Gravouil:** Thank you for having me. The current discussions are crucial, as we are trying to reach a compromise that balances the needs of workers with economic demands. The employers recently attempted to tighten compensation conditions for intermittent workers in the entertainment sector, which led to significant pushback from unions. This demonstrates the tension between maintaining fair worker protections and addressing economic pressures.
**Interviewer:** The government has requested social partners to find a way to generate 400 million euros in annual savings. How do you see this impacting the negotiations?
**Denis Gravouil:** This request for savings adds another layer of complexity. While it’s necessary to be fiscally responsible, the way these savings are achieved matters greatly. We must avoid making cuts that will harm the most vulnerable workers. This sets the stage for intense discussions, as we cannot compromise on the rights and livelihoods of those we represent.
**Interviewer:** What are the unions’ main concerns regarding the proposed changes to unemployment insurance?
**Denis Gravouil:** Our primary concern is that any changes should not undermine the safety net for workers. Increasing the requirements for compensation, especially for intermittent workers, could leave many without support during tough times. Workers in the entertainment industry are already facing uncertainties; we need policies that provide them with stability rather than further hardship.
**Interviewer:** Given the historical context of unemployment insurance in France, how do you think the outcome of these negotiations will shape future policies?
**Denis Gravouil:** The outcome will likely set a precedent for how unemployment insurance is managed moving forward. If we can strike a balance that preserves worker protections while also addressing economic realities, it could lead to a more stable system. However, if the negotiations result in harmful cuts, it could trigger widespread dissatisfaction and unrest among workers.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights, Denis. It’s clear that these negotiations will have significant implications for both workers and the overall economy. We appreciate your time today.
**Denis Gravouil:** Thank you for having me. It’s important for us all to remain engaged in these discussions, as they ultimately affect everyone in our society.
