Several organizations representing the economic world of the territory questioned the State representative on the worsening economic deterioration experienced by managers and employees of Eurelian companies, at the end of 2024. Hervé Jonathan, prefect of Eure -et-Loir, wished to recall the work carried out, on a daily basis, for several months, to support the economic world of the department in these difficult times.
Implement annualization of working time
“I am attentive to the situation of companies which are experiencing difficulties. We are activating all the mechanisms to support the due dates of tax and social debts. We have been following companies that are experiencing sudden drops in their activity for several months. With my services, we do everything possible so that they can overcome economic, unpredictable and temporary difficulties. I have relaxed the national doctrine to avoid situations of layoffs and business closures on our territory. »
Help from banks
According to Hervé Jonathan, since the beginning of October, 43 applications for partial unemployment, co-financed by the State, have been submitted by local businesses: “We have experienced an acceleration of difficulties since October. This year, 103 support requests were submitted to our services, including 43 for this fourth quarter alone. I would like to remind you that the partial unemployment system does not exist to respond to the structural difficulties of businesses. »
To prevent certain business leaders from thinking that whatever it takes is still in force, the prefect of Eure-et-Loir gives examples of companies subject to partial unemployment:
“This is the case for businesses affected in October by storm Kirk. The partial activity system has been activated for them. Let’s also take the example of a company in the metallurgy sector, in Courville-sur-Eure, which has a full order book, but its steel suppliers do not deliver. We have initiated the necessary assistance to support it. »
Recalling that the habituation of companies to this system risks misleading certain managers, Hervé Jonathan calls for the responsibility of business leaders, their advice and also the banks: “We continue to be flexible to help companies and we use the postponement of social and tax deadlines. That said, all partners must make efforts. The business manager must mobilize all the tools at his disposal, in particular the annualization of working time, taking early leave, etc. We are careful that bankers play the game. The entire ecosystem must take part in this effort to support our businesses. »
In figures:
103 Eurelian companies have appealed to the State for partial unemployment since January 2024, including 43 only since October.
29 companies in difficulty which filed a partial unemployment application did so for economic reasons and 14 others for exceptional deterioration in their situation.
Several schemes for the benefit of the agricultural world
The 2024 harvests were mediocre both in terms of yield and price due to weather conditions, in a context of persistent malaise in the agricultural world. Hervé Jonathan recalls all the support he has put in place for local farmers: “We responded quickly by activating local levers such as the reduction in the property tax on undeveloped properties (TPFNB) of 35% for arable land. . Furthermore, the crop insurance system has been improved compared to 2023. Until then, large farms were not eligible for this insurance system. Today, they are. National solidarity intervenes for the uninsured. In the event that their damage exceeded 50% of the harvest, the State would cover part of this damage. We have made commitments to reduce taxation and strengthen competitiveness, such as the perpetuation of the TO-DE system which makes it possible to hire a seasonal worker while being exempt from employer social security contributions for low wages and the partial exemption from the deduction system for precautionary savings. Medium-term loans will be granted (2 to 3 years) whose cost will decrease significantly for farmers to reach maximum interest rates of 1.75% for a 24-month loan and 2.35% for a 36-month loan. month, thanks to a shared effort between the lending bank and the State, etc. »
