The executive is reprimanded, as the bad news in the world of work continues. Increase in bankruptcies and restructuring projects, calls for strikes at the SNCF, at Air France and in the public administration, a new increase in fever among farmers… As a result of the difficulties of our economy and the measures of budgetary austerity, this growing enthusiasm reflects on the Prime Minister, Michel Barnier, and his troops.
This is demonstrated by the unpleasant episode experienced on Friday, November 8 by Marc Ferracci. When meeting with employees of the Michelin factory in Cholet (Maine et Loire), which will close its doors in 2026, like that in Vannes, the Minister responsible for Industry was vigorously attacked upon his arrival at the establishment, forcing him to quickly disappear. Those around him put things in perspective, arguing that the booing only lasted a few minutes, for a three-hour presence at the site, and that people outside the company had participated. But the skirmish shows that the government is caught in social tensions.
Although the number of layoffs and non-renewed temporary contracts today remains lower than that recorded during the 2008 economic crisis, Barnier’s team closely monitors the indicators and observes a worrying trend. The so-called “employment protection” plans, which translate into workforce cuts, “increasing from 2023 and will continue”Labor Minister Astrid Panosyan-Bouvet admitted to deputies on Tuesday. “It is the combination of both structural problems in certain sectors and a cyclical situation”he explained. Three days earlier, at France Inter, Ferracci had not tried to paint reality in rosy colors. “There will likely be announcements of site closures in the coming weeks and months”he said, evoking “thousands of jobs” removed.
Spots of revolt
If the painful decisions taken, for example, in Michelin or Auchan cannot be directly attributed to the government, other sources of revolt appear after political arbitrations. This is particularly the case in the public sector, where the prospect of a strike in the coming weeks looks increasingly certain. On Tuesday, the eight main unions representing agents met to discuss a possible response to the executive’s desire to tighten compensation conditions for sick leave. They are in unison to challenge this project.
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