Prime Minister Jean Castex wants to relaunch the pension reform. - Francois Mori / AP / SIPA

Prime Minister Jean Castex said on Wednesday before the Senate that "refusing to talk about pensions when the balance of accounts, and therefore the safeguard of the current system is compromised, would be irresponsible".

Reopening of negotiations with unions

"I will reopen the dialogue, all the trade union organizations will come to discuss with me (...) and we will agree on a method and a timetable," added the head of government during the current affairs session, in specifying that he would address "the question of pensions in a global framework".

He responded to the left, which has repeatedly asked him, since his arrival at the head of the government, to abandon the pension reform which has given rise to months of social conflict.

In the morning, during an interview on BFM TV, he had already indicated that he wanted to reunite the social partners "together" before July 20 ", after having received them separately on Thursday 9 and Friday 10, in order to" stop a method and a calendar ”.

Then, during questions to the government in the National Assembly, the Prime Minister clarified that he would address separately the question of the “future universal regime”, “against the backdrop of the future of special regimes”, and that of “financing of the current system ”.

The "fundamental reform, which we will not give up", will be separated "from the measures that need to be taken to safeguard the current system", he detailed, referring to a "shorter term subject" . Asked whether he intended to extend the contribution period, Jean Castex replied: "I do not start a dialogue and concerted action by giving a solution before starting".

According to a provisional estimate by the Pensions Guidance Council (COR), the deficit in the pension system should approach the record level of 30 billion euros this year, very far from the 4 billion expected before the crisis.

What about unemployment insurance?

On the unemployment insurance file, the Prime Minister wants to "postpone the implementation" of the reform, which the unions demanded the abandonment. The first part, which tightens the conditions for opening the rights of the unemployed, has been in effect since November 1, 2019, but the implementation of the second part has been suspended until September 1.

"The reform of unemployment insurance, also essential, but also impacted by the crisis: it would be unreasonable not to take account of this new element which, on many subjects, impacts considerations which interest the social partners", added Jean Castex before the Senate.

Regarding young people, for whom the executive has promised measures, the government will "put in place devices that can massively improve their chances of entering a job," he said without specifying whether this would be a hiring bonus or a reduction in social security contributions.

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  • Society
  • Unemployment insurance
  • Jean Castex
  • Pension reform
  • Senate