With a view to replenishing state coffers, senators tabled this Wednesday, November 13, 2024, an amendment to the 2025 Social Security budget, which aims to increase annual working hours by seven hours. This modification would free up 2.25 billion euros.
In recent days, the idea of eliminating a public holiday has stirred up public debate. The senators had a completely different idea to try to find additional money. This Wednesday, November 13, 2024, the Senate Social Affairs Committee tabled an amendment aimed at working “for free“the French seven hours a year, according to Le Figaro.
According to Elisabeth Doineau, general rapporteur of the commission, the text aims to strengthen “the financing of the autonomy branch by means of an increase of seven hours in the annual working time, for full time, of people employed in the private sector as well as in public services”.
Also read:
Budget: “We won't just make friends”, the text arrives in the Senate and it could well change the whole situation
“It’s not a public holiday”
This amendment takes up the principle of “day of solidarity”according to the senators. “It’s not a public holiday, it’s not November 11 that we’re reducing. We’re well into working hours”declared Philippe Mouiller, president of the Social Affairs Committee, during a press conference as part of the Social Security financing bill for 2025.
“There is freedom in the subject, it is fundamental for us, the idea is really that there is a debate with the social partners on the application of the principle”adds Philippe Mouiller, cited by The Echoes.
The senators insist that the savings made, around 2.5 billion euros, be recommitted to the elderly and disabled people.
