World News: France Seeks to Weaponize Unemployment Benefits

Details
Category: Haute This Issue
Published on Monday, 22 April 2024 14:05
Written by Olivier Longhi

France is attempting to revitalize its struggling labor market and is warming to the idea of weaponizing unemployment insurance, and the duration of benefits to force the unemployed workers back to the job market, in any capacity.

The measures announced by the Government to reduce the duration of benefits and the amount of benefits granted to jobseekers with the aim of reviving the labour market do little to hide the desire to reduce the public deficit and the thinly veiled stigmatization of jobseekers.

Beltway Insider: Biden/U.S. Israel Military Operation, G7, Foreign Aid, Ukraine, UAW, Trump Trial

The reform of unemployment insurance, presented on 27 March by Prime Minister Gabriel Attal and according to the latter, is intended to bring about a rapid return to employment. The simple method has already been in place since 2017: reduce the amount and duration of unemployment benefits for jobseekers. The measure is not new in a country that has never been able to tame mass unemployment since the seventies, a wound that is impossible to heal in the world's seventh largest economy (Statista 2022 data).

One Unemployed, One Job

While for many economists the idea of reducing compensation and the associated duration can potentially have effects (it should be remembered, however, that for two consecutive quarters the unemployment rate has risen again to 7.5% in the fourth quarter of 2023), the measure in question is above all in line with the Government's desire to continue the reduction of the public deficit set by the Ministry of Finance, This year's reduction was set at ten billion euros.

World News: The French Government Targets Healthcare Fraud

In concrete terms, the measures proposed by the Government, which will come into force on 1 July, should, according to the first estimates of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, generate between two and three billion euros in savings. From an accounting point of view, the Government can rub its hands together considering that these savings and the measures that generate them are pushing the country a little further towards full employment set at 5% of the working population.

An ambitious goal, to be sure. Except that with three million jobseekers receiving benefits, the vast majority of whom have not asked to suffer this situation, and companies, some of which are struggling to recruit, it is not written that we will be able to put an unemployed person in front of every vacant job.

Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger Answers Shareholder Questions

Precarious and Stigmatized

Thus, apart from the purely financial measure contained in this reform, there is also the underlying idea that jobseekers are indulging in their temporary inactivity, giving them the image of parasites of society living off the generosity of the welfare state. Here again, this is a misunderstanding of the socio-economic reality of the country and especially of those who are subject to unemployment benefits.

Already precarious because of their situation, job seekers find themselves stigmatized and potentially forced to accept a job that does not suit them. With what result: resignation from the job concerned, unhappiness.

And back to France Travail. One thing is obvious: calling for a reduction in the number of job seekers is commendable; Blaming them is not a solution. Proof of this is, once again, that the weapon of employment is often deliberately used in a populist, gratuitous and easy logic.

World News: European Elections Become a French Duel

 

Bio: Olivier Longhi has extensive experience in European history. A seasoned journalist with fifteen years of experience, he is currently professor of history and geography in the Toulouse region of France. He has held a variety of publishing positions, including Head of Agency and Chief of Publishing. A journalist, recognized blogger, editor, and editorial project manager, he has trained and managed editorial teams, worked as a journalist for various local radio stations, a press and publishing consultant, and a communications consultant.

Haute News

Haute Tease

  • Deux Légitimités, une Logique

    Alors que le conflit israélo-palestinien s'enlise dans un affrontement sans fin, se pose la question de la légitimité de deux peuples aux droits similaires, celui de vivre en paix dans leurs Etats propres et indépendants.

     

  • World News: Macron Readies For Re-Election Campaign

    The resignation of Prime Minister Edouard Philippe and the appointment of Jean Castex tacitly opens the electoral campaign for President Emmanuel Macron which effectively ends of the old world, general interest and ushers in personal ambition.

     

  • Prince, the Rock Pop Super Star, has Died

    Prince, the cultural icon, known for his provocative lyrics, his intense passion for the electric guitar which earned him comparison to the late iconic Jimi Hendrix, and his dedication to the creative process and music making, has died. He was 57.

     

  • Money News: Bear Mauls Ten Most Watched Global Markets

    The Dow Jones Industrial. Along with the NASDAQ and S &P 500, made a strong effort over the past week, successfully holding the bear at bay, until the off the encroaching bear market while the S&P500 fell as the bear split the ten most watched global markets with no obvious pattern as usually aligned U.S. markets fell.

     

  • Garden Lites Celebrates Fresh Culinary Approach with Revamped Look and New Line

    Amid the imminent New Year health and wellness resolutions throngs will collectively commit to eating more nutritiously. One company, Garden Lites has has set its sights on helping folks achieve those goals, one tasty veggie at a time.  

  • Orange County Restaurant Week Returns

    Orange County Restaurant Week, the region's most celebrated culinary event for more than a decade, returns Sunday, March 3th through Saturday, March 9th with nearly 150 restaurants participating offering diners a wide variety of options.