Paris (AFP)

Prime Minister Jean Castex brings together the social partners on Monday in Matignon, in the light of the sharp deterioration in the health situation, which could shake up the social agenda, in particular on the application of the sensitive reform of unemployment insurance.

Shortly before 9:00 am, number one of the central unions and representatives of the employers arrived, all masked, for this new "social dialogue conference", without making a statement.

Philippe Martinez (CGT) who walked side by side with Laurent Berger (CFDT) wore a mask signed in the name of his central union, while Geoffroy Roux de Bézieux (Medef) wore one in blue white red colors.

The Ministers of Economy Bruno Le Maire and Labor Élisabeth Borne are also among those present, along with the Secretary of State for Pensions and Occupational Health, Laurent Pietraszewski.

The discussions should be strongly influenced by the consequences of the new measures taken to slow down the epidemic, in particular the curfew, introduced in 54 departments and which risks further deteriorating the employment situation.

"We are not in the situation of July 17 where we all hoped to have the health crisis behind us", we recognize in Matignon, about the first "social conference" organized after the appointment of Jean Castex as head of government .

- "Efficient" -

The consequences of Covid-19 for the life of companies and employees risk being invited into the discussion, while the government wishes to avoid a general reconfinement.

Labor Minister Élisabeth Borne assured Monday that the corporate protocol "is effective" and "very well applied", recalling that teleworking is encouraged.

Among the points that will also be discussed: the unions intend to call again for the abandonment of the reform of unemployment insurance, which the executive had agreed in July to suspend until January 1.

This provides for a hardening of 4 to 6 months of work to open up rights and a reform of the method of calculating benefits unfavorable to those who alternate unemployment and short contracts.

If the executive refuses to question the "philosophy" of the reform, he says he is ready to move certain "parameters" and the question of a new postponement "will be the subject of a round table", admits -on in Matignon.

"The government wishes to carry out this reform," insisted Élisabeth Borne on LCI.

"The date of April 1, 2021 is in the landscape," confirms a trade unionist.

The new timetable could also concern pension reform, which should normally come back into the debate at the end of 2020-beginning of 2021

In a letter to the Prime Minister on October 14, the five union leaders (CFDT, CGT, FO, CFE-CGC and CFTC) suggested to the government to "announce that the time is not to call to order. day the subject of pensions ".

On this point, the government kicks in for the moment by putting forward the preliminary consultation on the work of the seniors which will start soon.

"It is not an immediate subject", confirmed Élisabeth Borne even if "it is a reform to which the government is attached".

The unions also insist on talking about employees of so-called "second line" jobs, in order to study a "revaluation of wages, working conditions, employment and careers".

Other subjects could gain more consensus, such as modifying several existing professional retraining systems, such as mobility leave and redeployment leave, in order to facilitate the transition from a sector affected by the crisis to a sector in tension.

© 2020 AFP