Reflection on employment, but no new unemployment insurance reform at this stage, according to the government

The issue of unemployment insurance was discussed at a meeting last week at the Élysée Palace, attended by six ministers, aimed at identifying ways to reduce public deficits, as reported by the daily newspaper L'Opinion.

The issue was only addressed as a "possible source of savings, among other measures," the office of Labor Minister Astrid Panosyan-Bouvet told AFP.

A new reform "is not at all on the agenda," according to this source, while the current agreement governing the rights of job seekers, signed at the end of 2024 by the social partners, has just come into force and is due to apply until 2028.

"The priority remains the implementation of the autumn agreements," Matignon stressed, stressing the need for "social partners to be able to discuss pensions calmly, without disruption," as part of the "conclave" currently underway until at least the end of May.

Matignon, however, confirmed that "the government is considering ways to increase the employment rate, or the proportion of French people who work, to strengthen our economic sovereignty." "There are many different ways to achieve this, not just" unemployment insurance reform, according to the same source.

"This is a normal discussion, but nothing is arbitrated," the Prime Minister's office added.

Socialist MP Arthur Delaporte has raised concerns about the possibility of a new reform by questioning the government in the National Assembly about a possible "weakening of the rights of job seekers."

"Our priority is the transposition" into law of elements of the latest interprofessional agreement and "we must work together, I hope, to strengthen our economy and overcome these points of fragility in the face of external shocks," Astrid Panosyan-Bouvet replied, recalling her "absolutely crucial attachment to social dialogue."