Fuel: Bercy calls for limiting travel for public employees and promoting teleworking

Teleworking, reduced travel, fuel allowance: the government asked state administrations a few days ago to adapt the work of public employees to respond to the rise in fuel costs linked to the war in the Middle East, according to a circular consulted by AFP.

The consequences of rising fuel costs for public employees who use their vehicles for work-related travel or commuting justify temporary adjustment measures, which the government presented in a document distributed to administrations on Thursday.

This circular, signed by the Minister of Public Action and Accounts, David Amiel, urges ministers to study "possibilities for individualized increases in the use of teleworking", particularly for employees who travel from home to work using their personal vehicle.

Bercy specifies that this must be done within the legal limit of a maximum of three days of teleworking per week for a full-time employee.

David Amiel also called for "an immediate reduction in avoidable business travel".

In practical terms: meetings, training sessions, seminars, juries, etc., will have to be held remotely, by audio conference or video conference.

Travel should be limited to "only those missions which cannot be postponed or carried out remotely", and which "directly condition the continuity of the State's action", according to the document.

This includes emergency interventions and security or inspection missions, the text details.

The ministry also calls for greater awareness among staff regarding the support measures put in place by the government, including the 50 euro fuel allowance for low-income workers who drive long distances, which they can benefit from if they are eligible.

In a statement, the CGT, the leading trade union in the public sector, acknowledged these measures, but pointed out that "the performance of the State's public service missions will be unacceptably reduced by limiting professional travel".

"The payment of the fuel allowance and the three days of teleworking cannot be considered a final settlement," the CGT added. The union also reiterated its demands for better wages, including unfreezing the value of the index point on which employees' salaries are partly calculated.