Freelancers demonstrating for respect for labor law and against the point-based retirement in December 2019. -

Jacques Witt / SIPA

It is the end of a long struggle for journalists paid by the article or by the task.

The National Health Insurance Fund (CNAM) has just given the green light for better access by freelancers to daily social security benefits, and therefore to maternity leave, according to the SNJ-CGT union.

“Inter-union and parity mobilization paid off!

The organization welcomed on Twitter.

“This is a real step forward for freelance women: they will now have more equal access or better access to maternity leave allowances!

“Also rejoiced the association Take the One, which has long campaigned for these leaves to be upgraded.

Freelance journalists: The security lock has been jumped!


The green light from the Regulatory Commission (COR) of the National Health Insurance Fund (CNAM), this Tuesday, October 6, opens the way for the publication of a decree (...)

- SNJ-CGT (Join Us✊🏽) (@SnjCgt) October 7, 2020

"Scandalous inequality"

Until now, freelance journalists had to prove that they had received 20,000 euros gross over the last 12 months to obtain rights to daily social security benefits.

A sum three times higher than for permanent editorial staff, or even any social security insured paid by the hour.

Once the reform has been instituted, freelancers will only need to accumulate around 6,000 euros gross of salaries over this period.

“How many professional women journalists in France have had to deal with the lack of maternity leave benefits?

We had to put an end to this scandalous inequality, ”comments the SNJ CGT on Twitter.

Sick leave too

The improvement also concerns sick leave and invalidity pensions.

"It is a great satisfaction which, we hope, puts an end to the discrimination suffered by freelance paid journalists, who suffered the double penalty: little income and no compensation in the event of a health problem or birth", explains Elise Descamps, coordinator of the CFDT freelance pool.

The way is open for the publication of a decree in the coming days.

Remains an unknown: will the CPAM also take into account journalists who do not have the press card, worries the unionist.

Response in the coming weeks.

Media

"Women journalists represent 53% of freelance writers and only 19% of editorial directors", explains the collective Take the headline

Media

"Women journalists represent 53% of freelance writers and only 19% of editorial directors", explains the collective Take the headline

  • gender equality

  • Maternity leave

  • Union

  • Media

  • Hurry

  • Discrimination