Antoine Armand, Minister of the Economy, proposes increasing working hours to finance the French social protection model, while considering a revision of certain employer exemptions. An orientation which sparks debates and provokes strong reactions from unions and deputies.
Increase working hours to ensure social sustainability
In a tense budgetary context, Antoine Armand, new Minister of the Economy, pleaded for an increase in working hours as a solution to finance the French social model. Asked by Les Echosthe minister declared that “ the quantity of hours worked in this country is no longer enough today to finance our social model », affirming that the State must consider new measures to compensate for this deficit. Among the avenues mentioned are an increase in working hours, as well as a possible elimination of a public holiday, two proposals likely to provoke contrasting reactions, to say the least.
The minister compared France to other world powers, stressing that the country could risk economic decline if adjustments are not made. Currently, France is in the middle of the table in Europe for the number of weekly working hours with an average of 36.3 hours, ahead of Germany and Italy, but suffers from a relatively low employment rate. , at 74% compared to 81% in Germany, according to European statistics.
The issue of employer exemptions is also at the heart of the government's concerns for the 2025 budget. Currently, the amount of these exemptions is approaching 80 billion euros, having doubled in ten years. Faced with the need to reduce the deficit, Antoine Armand expressed openness to an increase in employer contributions, particularly on low wages, while admitting that this decision meets strong opposition in the National Assembly.
For unions, measures which risk worsening unemployment
On October 30, the proposal to overhaul these contributions was rejected by right-wing deputies, from the National Rally and even certain members of the government camp. This measure, planned to bring in between 4 and 5 billion euros, will now have to pass the Senate test.
To respond to the concerns expressed by businesses, the minister mentions a possible “ mitigation » of the increase in contributions for low wageswhile reaffirming the need to find alternative efforts. However, he remains firm on the idea of longer working hours as a financing option, despite opposition from unions.
On the union side, Antoine Armand's proposals are seen as threats to the job market. The General Confederation of Labor (CGT), the second largest union in the private sector, reacted strongly by declaring that an increase in the number of working hours would only encourage mass unemployment. In a press release, the CGT Finances denounced “ the call to increase schedules and cadences » which, according to them, would amount to reducing opportunities for job seekers.
By pleading for “ efforts » additional, the Minister of the Economy reaffirms the government's desire to maintain the social protection model, while indicating that these adjustments are essential in the face of budgetary challenges. The question remains whether the government will find an acceptable compromise in Parliament to balance the funding imperative with social and economic concerns.
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