The reform desired by President Emmanuel Macron should enter into force from the beginning of next year. When the economy is good, unemployment benefits should be received for a shorter period of time than in bad times, when job hunting is more difficult and unemployment is higher.
The discipline in detail has not yet been dictated by the law now passed. After consulting the social partners, they must be promptly determined by decree. The unemployment benefit period in France is currently between 24 and 36 months.
Unemployment insurance reform is a key element for the liberal Macron to achieve full employment by 2027, which translates into an unemployment rate of no more than 5%. Unemployment in France is declining, most recently the rate was 7.4%. The reform aims to make it easier for companies to hire staff, since workers are now scarce in several sectors.
Macron, who has not had an absolute majority in parliament since the summer elections, has been able to implement the reform with the support of the conservative Républicains. Left field and the national right-wing Rassemblement National opposed the project.
(sda)
