Carole Ferry, edited by Sonia Chemaa 10:34 am, December 20, 2021

Remember the Macron bonus.

This measure, announced in the midst of the yellow vests movement, allowed companies to give up to 1,000 euros tax-free to their employees and 2,000 even in some cases.

This optional bonus is due to disappear next March, but in the meantime it remains very popular with business leaders. 

While inflation is on the rise and growth is very dynamic, annual salary negotiations are continuing in companies, with high expectations from employees.

At the UIMM, the union of industries and metallurgy trades, the Macron bonus, issued to employees in response to the yellow vests crisis, is proving to be a negotiation tool for 2022.  

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Very popular with businesses

It is, for example, part of the agreement signed last week at Dassault Aviation and is currently on the negotiating table at Lafarge. The advantage of this bonus, according to the MEDEF, is that there is no additional charge, just look at the company's balance sheet and see how much we can distribute to employees who earn less than three minimum wages. .

Other companies, on the other hand, have opted for bonuses other than the so-called "Macron" one.

Eiffage, for example, added 50 euros to the inflation premium.

Carrefour and Nexity have even chosen to double it.

Total will also pay a bonus of 500 euros, but this time, to all employees, regardless of their salary and everywhere in the world.

The bonus is therefore becoming a very popular tool for companies, a little less for unions who prefer wage increases.

Indeed, they have the advantage of not being paid only once. 

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Towards a sustainability of the Macron premium? 

The Macron bonus should disappear in March 2022. But that is not yet decided.

In any case, what is certain is that Bercy is not at all in favor of it.

Because who says tax-free premium says no money that goes into the state coffers.

The Ministry of the Economy preferred that companies use profit-sharing or participation, for example.

Still, the removal of this Macron bonus, the expiry of which comes just before the presidential election, could weigh in the balance.