Lecornu calls on social partners to open negotiations on AI and sick leave.

Sébastien Lecornu intends to entrust several sensitive social issues to labor unions and employers' organizations. The Prime Minister notably wishes to open a dialogue on the consequences of artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace and on sick leave.

This speech was broadcast on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, during the back-to-work meeting of the French Democratic Confederation of Labour (CFDT). It came the day after a meeting between the leaders of representative organizations aimed at relaunching their independent social agenda, conducted separately from the government.

A social framework to be defined around artificial intelligence

The Prime Minister wants social partners to quickly examine the changes in work brought about by artificial intelligence. However, no specific timetable or negotiating mandate has been announced at this stage.

"I hope that social dialogue will take up the issue of AI very, very quickly in order to at least provide a framework for overall reflection," said Sébastien Lecornu.

Sick leave at the heart of budget debates

The head of government also wants to involve unions and employers in discussions on work stoppages, as their cost occupies an important place in the preparation of the next budget.

“Another subject is sick leave,” he added, stating that he had “always believed in parity” and social dialogue.

“Rather than leaving this subject to demagogues or sometimes to a technocratic and brutal vision by saying ‘we’re cutting back’, in a moment which is becoming very polarized, very difficult, I prefer that we trust in social dialogue,” the Prime Minister continued.

A referral is expected in the coming weeks.

Sébastien Lecornu indicated that he intended to consult with social partners "in the coming weeks without preempting the debate." The government is awaiting their proposals, in particular, regarding the management, compensation, and prevention of work stoppages.

In June 2026, the Prime Minister had already declared his intention to submit to parliamentary debate the reimbursement of certain medications which he considered of little use, as well as the cost of sick leave, presented as the "mother of all budgetary battles".

The Court of Auditors studied several scenarios for the evolution of compensation, focusing in particular on the waiting period and the distribution of costs between Health Insurance, employers and employees.

The institution clarified, however, that it was not favoring any particular measure. It recommended that any changes to compensation parameters be made only after consultation with social partners.

Climate adaptation was also mentioned.

Looking back on the repeated heat waves of summer 2026, Sébastien Lecornu felt that there was "a problem with the execution of what had been thought out" in the various climate change adaptation plans.

"The question of this adaptation to climate change, in the plural, because we are going to have other phenomena this winter, including floods or others, must be part of labor law," the Prime Minister stated.

Regulations against extreme heat are already in force

Since July 1, 2025, the Labor Code already includes specific provisions dedicated to the prevention of risks related to episodes of intense heat.

The decree of May 27, 2025 requires employers to assess these risks and to implement appropriate measures concerning work organization, schedules, equipment, access to drinking water, rest periods and the protection of vulnerable employees.

The Prime Minister's statements thus appear to aim for a broader adaptation of labor law to the consequences of climate change, beyond just extreme heat. The exact scope of this reflection remains to be defined.