Members of Parliament oppose the abolition of the social security contribution exemption for apprentices

Many MPs from parliamentary groups across the political spectrum had tabled amendments against the government's measure: Ecologists, Communists, Socialists, La France Insoumise, National Rally, Republicans, Liot, but also Renaissance MPs.

Two of these amendments were adopted -- a vote which will however have to take place again in the chamber to be confirmed, as the deputies will then start from the government's initial copy.

The government's draft budget proposes to eliminate the exemption from employee social security contributions for apprentices on new contracts starting January 1, 2026, without affecting existing contracts. The portion of their remuneration exceeding 50% of the minimum wage (SMIC) has already been subject to these contributions since this year, according to an appendix to the draft social security budget.

The total removal of this exemption "risks causing a sharp contraction in apprenticeship contracts," criticized MP Sylvie Bonnet (Republican Right group).

"With this article, you will make apprentices pay an average of 100 euros," said the La France Insoumise member Hadrien Clouet.

MoDem MP Nicolas Turquois was one of the few to defend the measure: "I employ apprentices. I did the calculation for apprentices earning around €1,000. The difference is around €10. These aren't the figures I've been hearing," he stated. "I think it's normal to contribute when you work," he added.

The general rapporteur for the Social Security budget, Thibault Bazin (LR), also tried to defend the government's proposal: two people in the same position with "identical gross remuneration", one an apprentice and the other not, currently have "a difference in net remuneration which is not acceptable", he argued, specifying that he was "the first to defend apprenticeships".

The debates on the draft social security budget are scheduled to continue in committee until Friday.