why boosting French productivity is the “nerve of the war”

Is the drop in productivity the blind spot of the French economy? At the end of November, the Senate adopted an amendment aimed at making all French employees work seven hours more per year without pay. The measure immediately sparked an outcry from both unions and opposition parties. Deemed too controversial, it was ultimately not accepted during the joint committee – the budget pill was already difficult enough to swallow. One censored government later, the question is postponed indefinitely. And this, while voices are calling on the French to work more to strengthen the French economy.

The controversy is old. The right, supporting this measure, was quick to point out the figures: according to figures published this Thursday by the Rexecode institute, the French worked an average of 1,673 hours in 2024, compared to a European average of 1,790 hours. In detail…