To close the European Week for the Employment of People with Disabilities, the Confederation of Small and Medium Enterprises of Indre-et-Loire brought together its members this Thursday, November 21, 2024, at the Nouvel Atrium in Saint-Avertin, on the theme “Reinventing the 'future “. Expected at this evening, Marie-Agnès Poussier-Winsback, Minister Delegate responsible for the social and solidarity economy, profit-sharing and participation, canceled her trip due to bad weather.
President of CPME 37 since 2021, Karine Lafont had planned to raise some areas of concern with the minister.
What does CPME represent in Indre-et-Loire?
Karine Lafont: “For around ten years, the CPME was a little dormant. When I arrived as president in 2021, we had 75 members, we have today increased to 210. They are independents, business creators, mainly VSEs with less than 15 employees and a few SMEs. Our role is to defend the bosses. »
Maintain connections with young people
By inviting the minister to Saint-Avertin, you planned to make your issues heard.
“Yes, on two essential subjects. The first concerns paid leave for employees. France has brought the provisions of the Labor Code on work stoppages into compliance with European law. Since April 24, the employee acquires 2.5 days of paid leave per month for the duration of the shutdown. The acquisition of leave is no longer limited to one year. This is a very heavy burden for SMEs. The other subject that concerns us is the ongoing reflection on the reduction of learning aid. Reducing the hiring bonus from €6,000 for employers, which could increase to €4,500, is not a good idea. There may have been abuses, but 80% of companies do things correctly and want to pass on. »
What is the risk?
“We will end up with young apprentices who will only be hired in large structures, they will have a distorted vision of the company. Our objective at CPME 37 is to change the image of the boss. Our business leaders are people who invest and take risks. It's so difficult for them at the moment to stand up against multinationals who are only looking to get their contracts back. »
What concrete help do you provide to managers?
“We organize exchanges to bring entrepreneurs out of their isolation. When things go wrong, we are also there to identify the problem and direct them to our partners: banks, specialized lawyers, insurers. »
Are you worried about the future?
“In construction and catering, it’s difficult, there are activities that will disappear, and that will have repercussions on the rest of the economy. It is fundamental to keep VSE/SMEs in our territories. Now is not the time to cut ties with young people. »
CPME 37 at 02.47.39.42.43.
