The application of the unemployment insurance reform was again postponed for three months.
But Prime Minister Jean Castex assured that he "does not intend to give up" this "major reform", which provides for a hardening to open rights to allowances.
Jean Castex on Monday agreed to a new postponement of the application of the delicate reform of unemployment insurance, in view of the worsening crisis, but continued to defend a "major" reform in the face of the unions who are still demanding its " abandonment "pure and simple.
The Prime Minister gathered the social partners for nearly three hours in Matignon for his second "social dialogue conference" since July, just after his arrival, to make "a progress report" on the projects in progress, particularly in the face of the health and social crisis (youth plan, professional retraining, etc.).
At the end, a three-month postponement of the application of the controversial reform of unemployment insurance, ie until April 1, 2021, was announced, Jean Castex indicating however that he "does not intend to give up" to this "major reform".
The executive had already agreed in July to suspend this reform until January 1, which provides in particular 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.
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Unions demand abandonment of reform
The leaders of the five central trade unions have called for the abandonment of the reform in unison, judging the simple postponement "absolutely scandalous" (Philippe Martinez, CGT) or "completely unsuitable" (Cyril Chabanier, CFTC), and asking "for an answer clearer "(Yves Veyrier, FO).
"This reform little by little, we are demonstrating that it is not at all adapted to the period", said Laurent Berger (CFDT), François Hommeril (CFE-CGC) denouncing it as "punitive ".
On the employers' side, the president of the Confederation of SMEs, François Asselin considered that the postponement raised the question of the calculation of the bonus-malus to penalize companies that abuse short contracts.
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Roux de Bézieux warns against a "collapse" of the economy
All the participants insisted on the gravity of the situation with a curfew, established in 54 departments and which risks further deteriorating the employment situation.
Geoffroy Roux de Bézieux (Medef) warned against a possible "collapse" of the economy in the event of generalized reconfinement, as in March, pleading to find "the right cursor between economy and health".
The subject of teleworking was "widely broached" in the discussion, as the social partners are due to start negotiations for an agreement on 3 November.
The government encourages it and wishes to avoid a general reconfinement.
Labor Minister Élisabeth Borne assured Monday that the company protocol "is effective" and "very well applied".