Plan for aeronautics: compensation for the location of jobs

Text by: Myriam Berber

The French government announced on Tuesday its aid plan for the aeronautical sector, hard hit by the coronavirus crisis. A sectoral plan on the model of the automobile sector, of several billion euros over a fairly long period. The economic daily Les Échos mentions the figure of 10 billion.

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With the pandemic and the stopping of air traffic, the sector, which has been growing for 20 years, had to face a fall in orders for aircraft. The engine manufacturer Safran and the aircraft manufacturer Airbus evoke a drop in orders of 30 to 40%.

A major blow for this major industrial sector, which represents nearly 200,000 employees in France. That is why they are asking for government assistance.

Secretary of State for Transport Jean-Baptiste Djebbari unveiled the main lines of this plan, the first objective of which is to avoid layoffs.

Nearly thirty thousand posts are today threatened. The State will set up a long-term partial unemployment scheme. Several manufacturers are planning to switch to a four-day week.

On the model of the automobile plan, the government will demand in return guarantees on the location of jobs.

Aeronautics is a big export item. This plan also provides a support fund to consolidate the industry. An investment fund with around one billion euros to help subcontractors, and protect companies with critical skills from foreign takeovers.

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• France
• Aeronautics
• Coronavirus