Relations between Michel Barnier’s government and the civil servants’ unions were no longer entirely good. They are now very tense, since the announcement, on Sunday, October 27, of a tightening of the rules for compensation for sick leave for public employees. The existing power is criticized for making unfair and stigmatizing decisions. Furthermore, its effectiveness would be questionable, since one of the objectives would be to address the explosive issue of absences.
In this predictable controversy, where the old stereotype of the lazy bureaucrat resurfaces, the words used have almost as much impact as the very substance of the provisions adopted. Guillaume Kasbarian, Minister of the Public Service, explains in an interview with Figaro published on Monday, which identified a ” emergency “at a time when the nation’s accounts are sinking into the red: “The fight against absenteeism” among the approximately 5.7 million people who work for the State, local authorities and public hospitals.
In Mr. Kasbarian’s eyes, it is no longer necessary “let it drift” the phenomenon, resulting – among other things – in a ” gap “ growing between the public and private sectors: thus, in 2022, the average number of work stoppages for health reasons reached 14.5 days in the first case, compared to 11.7 in the second, while the difference was less evident three years ago. Cost of these absences for all public employers: 15.1 billion euros (in 2022, still), according to a calculation made by the general inspections of finance (IGF) and social affairs (IGAS) in a report made public in early September.
“Complex topic”
This is the reason why “Two measures of accountability” are necessary, according to Kasbarian. First: extend the so-called period of “deficiency”during which the public service agent does not receive any compensation, increasing it from one to three days. Second arbitration: beyond these three days, the official would be covered, but up to 90% of their remuneration (compared to the current 100%). These options, which aim to align the public sector with the regulations in force in the private sector, would ultimately save 1.2 billion euros per year.
“Besides” of these provisions, Mr. Kasbarian adds that he intends to act on other aspects, including “improve the quality of life at work”. But it does so expeditiously, although this point has an important dimension. According to the joint IGF-IGAS report, the “differences in absenteeism rates” between, on the one hand, the private sector and, on the other, the State and hospitals. “95%”for him ” characteristics “ agents as well as “their works”. In particular, the age of workers is taken into account, which is, on average, higher among the public: an important parameter because the risk of facing a health problem increases with age. Public exposure may also be important for caregivers or teachers, for example during periods of“seasonal epidemics”.
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