Presidential 2022: volunteering, "professional integration" ... the poisoned debate of the RSA
According to a recent survey, 8 out of 10 French people say they are in favor of conditioning the payment of social minima.
(Illustrative image) REUTERS/Christian Hartmann
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
Conditioning the payment of aid to the most precarious on hours of volunteering or training is one of the proposals of outgoing French President Emmanuel Macron.
About 15 to 20 hours a week, to "facilitate professional integration" according to him.
This project, Marine Le Pen, her far-right finalist competitor does not share it.
It will certainly be on the program for the debate between the two rounds on Wednesday evening April 20.
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In France, less than two million households receive the active solidarity income (RSA).
In the meantime, the measure divides beneficiaries and social workers.
David earns less than 500 euros per month thanks to the RSA.
He is not opposed to this project even if he regrets its obligatory aspect: “
Why not?
Because creating links, bringing people together on social, collaborative projects, is not necessarily negative.
He plays on this argument to pass his measure which is only a stigmatization of the poorest.
»
“
I accompanied many people who were beneficiaries of the RSA and who needed everything,
explains Quentin, a former Pôle emploi adviser who fears an increase in misery with this proposal from Emmanuel Macron
.
The RSA is still the last aid, the one you get when you are no longer entitled to anything else.
So, strengthening the conditions of access to aid that you receive when you have nothing else left, for me this requires setting up something else that would come to those who suddenly can no longer benefit from the RSA.
»
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To read: Presidential: what economic programs for the candidates in the second round?
Operation not adaptable for everyone
In Alsace, Pôle emploi has been running the experiment since 2017 on a voluntary basis.
Only 3% of RSA beneficiaries do volunteer work.
"
For a large majority of people, there are already health concerns that prevent them from returning to work and for others, we focus more on returning to work
", explains Geoffroy Renimel of the association of helping the most disadvantaged ATD Fourth World.
According to a recent survey, 8 out of 10 French people say they are in favor of conditioning the payment of social minima.
►
To read: Macron-Le Pen: the proposals of the two candidates on security and justice
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Presidential France 2022
French politics
Emmanuel Macron
France