France’s government has announced a stringent approach to tackle a sharp rise in absenteeism among state workers, as it grapples with the urgent need to implement billions of euros in budget savings.
Facing pressure from the European Union to reduce spending while contending with criticism from domestic parties, the minority conservative government unveiled a plan on October 27 to cut an additional €5 billion ($5.4 billion) from the national budget.
In a statement that underscored the scale of the issue, government officials revealed that absenteeism in the public sector has skyrocketed, with the number of sick days rising from 43 million in 2014 to 77 million in 2022.
This dramatic increase has prompted the Finance Ministry to propose measures aimed at curbing these costs, which they believe could save the state nearly €1.2 billion.
The proposed changes would involve only compensating state workers after the third day of sick leave, a shift from the current policy that pays benefits starting from the first day of absence.
Importantly, the planned measure is not expected to impact maternity leave, work-related injuries, or serious illnesses, ensuring that essential protections remain in place for vulnerable workers.
However, it has raised concerns among unions and public sector employees who argue that the new rules could unfairly penalize those genuinely in need of support.
Finance Minister Antoine Armand addressed the media on October 27, revealing that France’s budget deficit for 2024 is projected to be between 6.1% and 6.2%, which is more than double the EU’s stipulated limit of 3%.
In an effort to bring the deficit back to 5% next year, the government aims to raise a total of €60 billion, with €20 billion anticipated from increased taxes and €40 billion from cuts in public spending.
Among other contentious measures in the government’s austerity plan are the proposed six-month delay in pension increases and higher statutory fees imposed on businesses.
These moves have already sparked significant opposition in parliament, with far-right National Rally (RN) lawmakers vowing to vote against the budget due to perceived threats to pension rights.
The RN, which is the largest single party in the National Assembly, holds considerable power in this legislative session. Their opposition could potentially destabilize the government, particularly if they align with left-wing parties in a confidence vote.
The current economic climate in France has intensified scrutiny over public spending and fiscal responsibility.
As the government scrambles to find ways to reduce the deficit, the stakes are high not only for state workers facing new regulations but also for the political stability of Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne’s administration.
Critics argue that targeting absenteeism without addressing underlying issues could lead to further discontent within the public sector, exacerbating an already tense situation.
As debates continue in parliament and the government seeks to navigate these turbulent waters, the outcome of the proposed budget cuts will have far-reaching implications for France’s public services and social welfare systems, as well as its political landscape.
With pressure mounting from all sides, the government’s strategy to manage public spending will be closely watched in the coming months.
