The Ministry of Labor has sent the social partners the draft decree implementing the new unemployment insurance reform, with the idea of reducing the duration of compensation by 40% if unemployment falls below 6%, according to this document consulted Friday by AFP.
Initially unveiled by the AEF agency, the text provides – as the government announced when presenting the reform at the end of November – a 25% reduction in the duration of compensation for all jobseekers eligible for unemployment insurance from February 1 in mainland France.
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New fact, it also envisages that with an unemployment rate below 6% (against 7.3% currently), the duration of compensation is reduced by 40% and not by 25%. The presentation sheet of the decree specifies that “the conditions of application of this provision are referred to a decree in Council of State taken after consultation” with the social partners. A change that will not be for now.
In presenting the reform, the Minister of Labor Olivier Dussopt had mentioned the possibility of a hardening, but in the event of unemployment below “5%”i.e. the level at which we can speak of ” full employment “.
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Amazed social partners
Interviewed by “The World”Marylise Léon, number two of the CFDT, expressed her surprise: “The Ministry of Labor had raised the hypothesis of another reduction coefficient, resulting in a reduction in the duration of compensation even greater than that which is about to come into force, in situations where the economy is doing very well. But he never told us about a 40% reduction with an unemployment rate of 6%. She added: it is a “Very bad news for job seekers. The government is clearly seeking to generate savings, in addition to those already induced by the reform decided in 2019. “
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Also joined by the evening daily, Jean-François Foucard, confederal secretary of the CFE-CGC, believes: “Doing this on the sly on December 23 proves that they do not have a clear conscience. » For him, the government “already preempts future negotiation”. ” It’s not normal. In such a framework, we can already note that it will not succeed. »
Denis Gravouil of the CGT thinks no less and says to the “World”: “The government sits a little more on jointism. This is unacceptable, the State wants to take control and makes sure that it happens by ignoring the role of employers’ organizations and trade unions. »
New rules for January 1, 2024
For job seekers who will see their duration of compensation reduced in February, the document provides, as announced, a “End of entitlement supplement” in the event of a deterioration in the labor market, if unemployment exceeds 9% or if it increases by 0.8 points or more over a quarter.
The text also confirms that certain populations are excluded from the reform such as entertainment workers, fishermen or dockers.
Concerning ” bonus Malus “ on the unemployment insurance contribution for companies in seven sectors that are large consumers of precarious contracts (accommodation and catering, transport, etc.), the text extends until August 31, 2023 the first modulation which began on September 1, 2022.
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It establishes a second period from September 1, 2023 to August 31, 2024, by reinstating companies very affected by the health crisis that had been excluded.
The 12-article draft decree was sent to the members of the National Commission for Collective Bargaining, Employment and Vocational Training (CNNCEFP), whose opinion is advisory. They will consider the text on January 10.
The decree ends on December 31, 2023, with the social partners having to negotiate new rules for January 1, 2024.
