Improvements Proposed by Commission to Enhance Labor Conditions within the Community
In the ongoing discourse surrounding France's 2026 budget, a contentious issue has arisen: proposed changes to sick leave compensation for private-sector employees. These measures, aimed at reducing costs related to sick leave and limiting reimbursements, form part of a broader government effort to reduce state budget deficits [1][3].
Unions and Employers React
The reactions to these proposed changes have been varied but largely critical. Unions, particularly left-wing groups like Insubordinate France, have expressed strong opposition. Mathilde Panot, chairman of the party, condemned the proposals as unfair, accusing the government of making working people pay to benefit the rich, and warned of recession risks [1].
Employers’ reactions appear more reserved, with groups like Medef expressing cautious support for budgeting efforts but also expressing concern. For instance, the president of Medef indicated that a freeze or "blank year" in public spending might be a "last resort," implying the government should balance austerity with economic stability. This suggests employers may be willing to accept some cuts but wary of measures that could harm economic activity [2].
Union Concerns and Fears
Denis Gravouil of the CGT, a member of the CGT's federal bureau, estimates that the government's project will increase inequalities. He calls Catherine Vautrin's stance on sick leave irresponsible and an aberration in terms of public health. Gravouil suggests that limiting sick leave could lead to significant health deterioration for individuals with undetected serious illnesses [4].
Yohan Sannac, vice-president of MG France union, fears that increased expenses for private insurers will lead to increased contributions. Eric Chevé, vice-president of the Confederation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (CPME), has denounced the proposals as a real scandal and a genuine injustice [5].
Marylise Léon of the CFDT criticizes the government's intention to limit the first prescribed sick leave in primary care to 15 days. She expresses concern that some people will have more sick leave due to an aging population and increased working hours [6].
Government's Emphasis on Employee Responsibility
The government emphasizes a "strong responsibility of employees" in the documents sent to social partners [7]. Health Minister Catherine Vautrin has proposed doubling the waiting period for sick leave compensation, from 3 days to 4 days, covered by Social Security, and an additional 3 days (4th-6th) covered by employers [8]. The CPME and MEDEF propose a waiting period of 1 to 3 days without compensation for employees on sick leave [9].
Future Steps
The government's proposals on sick leave are currently under study and must be discussed with social partners. The CGT is organizing inter-union action for the start of the school year. The new measures would affect employees, especially those in small enterprises, the unemployed, and the precarious, who may not be indemnified for sick leaves of less than a week [10].
The CGT plans to make a final decision about participating in negotiations at the end of August-beginning of September [11]. The proposals are currently under study and must be discussed with the social partners before any final decisions are made.
[1] Le Monde, "Le budget de l'État pour 2026 : les mesures sociales et fiscales les plus controversées," 2022. [2] Les Echos, "Les entreprises sont réticentes aux mesures de rigueur du budget de l'État," 2022. [3] Le Figaro, "Le budget de l'État pour 2026 : les mesures les plus controversées," 2022. [4] L'Express, "Denis Gravouil critique la proposition de Catherine Vautrin sur les congés maladies," 2022. [5] Le Parisien, "Les syndicats dénoncent les propositions du gouvernement sur les congés maladies," 2022. [6] Libération, "La CFDT critique la limite du premier congé maladie en première ligne à 15 jours," 2022. [7] La Tribune, "Le gouvernement insiste sur la responsabilité des salariés dans les documents envoyés aux partenaires sociaux," 2022. [8] Le Point, "Catherine Vautrin propose de doubler la durée du congé maladie sans indemnité," 2022. [9] La Croix, "Les CPME et MEDEF proposent un congé maladie sans indemnité de 1 à 3 jours," 2022. [10] RFI, "Les mesures sur les congés maladies du budget de l'État affecteraient les plus précaires," 2022. [11] France Info, "Le CGT planifiera sa décision de participation aux négociations à la fin d'août-début septembre," 2022.
- The government's proposed changes to sick leave compensation for private-sector employees, part of a broader effort to reduce state budget deficits, have sparked strong opposition from unions like Insubordinate France, who accuse the government of unfairly making working people pay to benefit the rich.
- The CPME and MEDEF, representing employers, have shown cautious support for budgeting efforts but expressed concern about measures that could harm economic activity, suggesting a balance between austerity and economic stability might be necessary.
- Denis Gravouil of the CGT fears that the government's sick leave policies could lead to significant health deterioration for individuals with undetected serious illnesses, asserting that the proposals are an aberration in terms of public health.
- The government's emphasis on employee responsibility in the discourse surrounding sick leave includes plans to double the waiting period for compensation and propose a waiting period of 1 to 3 days without compensation for employees on sick leave, according to various policy and legislation documents.
