Macron “assumes” the reform of unemployment insurance but remains open on the “modalities”

Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday June 12 that he was responsible for the reform of unemployment insurance, which he described as "indispensable", but wanted to "build the modalities" after the legislative elections.

“I accept it. I think it is good and I think we must continue on this path and this course,” declared the President of the Republic during his press conference, while remaining vague on his position. implemented (decree currently in preparation or text before parliament).

A draft government decree is currently being examined by the Council of State for a reform that tightens access to compensation: you will need to have worked eight months out of 20 to be entitled to it, compared to six months out of 24 months. so far. The duration of compensation will also be reduced, to 15 months for unemployed people under 57, compared to 18 months for those under 53 today.

The new rules must be subject to the publication of the decree before July 1. Without a new decree on this date, whatever its content, there would no longer be any rules governing compensation for the unemployed.

In a joint press release, the eight union confederations (CFDT, CGT, FO, CFE-CGC, CFTC, UNSA, Solidaires and FSU) which had united in 2023 against the pension reform called on Wednesday the executive to "renounce his reform of unemployment insurance.

“Even though the government has just suffered a real disavowal in the last European elections, it is time to give up the most useless, unjust and violent reform ever seen,” they said.

Wednesday afternoon, the National Commission for Collective Bargaining, Employment and Vocational Training (CNNCEFP) met with the aim of collecting and transmitting to the Council of State the opinions of the social partners on the text.

The unions are fiercely opposed to this reform which comes in addition to those of 2021 and 2023: they fear increased precariousness of the unemployed, particularly among young people and seniors. Conversely, employers' organizations are in favor of the project.

For the government, the aim of the reform is to encourage people to return to work, reduce unemployment insurance debt (the debt of which amounts to 58 billion euros) and better finance support for job seekers. by France Travail thanks to the surpluses that Unédic now generates, the Ministry of Labor explains.