INTERVIEW
By settling at 8.1% of the working population in the fourth quarter of 2019 (-0.4 point), the unemployment rate reached its lowest level since the end of 2008, according to figures published Thursday by INSEE. On Europe 1 Thursday, Sacha Houlié welcomed "good news" while estimating "that there is still a lot of work to do" to reach the government's target of an unemployment rate of 7% at the end of five year term. Above all, questioned on the action of the presidency of François Hollande, the LREM deputy from Vienna said "to recognize" a positive impact of the measures taken by the previous socialist governments.
"Jobs continue to be created"
Despite growth showing signs of weakness, "jobs continue to be created," said the MP. A phenomenon which he explains in particular by the "reduction in contributions on low wages which had been undertaken during the previous five-year period, but which [was] perpetuated by us."
>> Find all of Nathalie Levy's interviews in replay and podcast here
"It must be recognized, the CICE [Tax Credit for Competitiveness and Employment, Editor's note] is older than us, it precedes us," he added. Sacha Houlié also said "admit" that the reorganization of the world of work "[had] started in 2015" while stressing that it had been continued by the ordinances adopted under the presidency of Emmanuel Macron.
Sacha Houlié considers the increase in unemployment among 15-24 year olds "unacceptable"
The deputy also highlighted the vocational training reform of "2018" and the government's "major focus" on apprenticeship.
Finally, Sacha Houlié deemed the increase in unemployment among 15-24 year olds to be "unacceptable". It still reaches 20%.