There is a lot of disagreement and discussion about the French government’s plan to change how sick leave works for public sector workers. The proposed changes aim to make the waiting time longer and pay lower, but some people say this will unfairly hurt civil servants.
As part of the proposed changes, the waiting time for sick leave would be increased from one to three days, and pay for sick leave would go from 100% to 90%. The government says this makes programs in the public sector more like those in the private sector.
The changes are strongly opposed by Manuel Bompard, who is the national coordinator of France Insoumise. He says that absences are caused by problems at work, not by being lazy, and that reforms are unfairly going after civil workers. Bompard stresses that problems at their roots, like bad working conditions, should be fixed.
Bompard questions the government’s reasoning, pointing out that 75% of private sector workers get paid time off for waiting, and that changes to the public sector would mostly affect civil servants. He says he will file a motion of censure if the government uses Article 49.3 to force passing.
Worries include worsening working conditions for civil servants, not enough resources for public sector workers, and effects that are bad for workers’ health and efficiency. The changes would make people less financially secure, cause more worry and burnout, and lower morale and motivation.
Other options include making the workplace better by providing more resources and better working conditions, solving the reasons why people miss work, and creating a supportive workplace.
The 2025 budget project will be looked at again on November 5, and leaders of the opposition are pushing for different answers. Changes to sick leave laws have started a heated argument about workers’ rights and the government’s duty. As the 2025 budget project gets closer, leaders of the resistance say they will look closely at and fight against measures that hurt public sector workers.
Public sector unions and workers are worried about the French government’s plan because they think the reforms will make problems worse. The opposition’s answer shows that we need a more nuanced way to deal with absence. What happens in this debate will have big effects on France’s public sector workers and labor rules. The government will have to find a way to protect workers’ rights while also keeping the budget in check.
ALSO READ:
