The title of the document leaves little room for doubt about its objectives. This Wednesday, June 7, the Minister of Labor, Olivier Dussopt, presented to the Council of Ministers "the bill for full employment". This set of measures should make it possible to accelerate the decline in the unemployment rate to around 5% by the end of the five-year period. One construction site in particular attracts all eyes, the creation of France work, the future employment service. The result is significant developments in the care and support of the unemployed.
Why France work?
For several years, the France has experienced a very marked improvement in the unemployment rate, which accelerated further after the Covid crisis. The figure thus fell to 7.1% of the active population in France, excluding Mayotte, in the 1st quarter of 2023 against 7.4% a year earlier and more than 10% in 2016. This improvement has been achieved to the benefit of the easiest job seekers to recruit: short-term workers, graduates, young people... From now on, future improvements can only take place by bringing back to employment individuals who are more distant or even currently totally unemployable. What requires reviewing their support is the objective of this new entity.
Who is concerned?
The main changes concern beneficiaries of the active solidarity income (RSA) and, if applicable, their spouse. With the creation of France job, they will be automatically integrated into the lists of Pôle emploi when they apply for registration with the RSA. Currently this is only the case for a minority of them. This change will mainly allow the public institution to quickly contact the person to offer him an appointment to make a diagnosis and direct him to the most appropriate service. If no major obstacle to hiring is identified, then Pôle emploi, or its successor, will keep the hand, otherwise it can be entrusted to certain social services. Whatever happens, the beneficiary's situation will be regularly reassessed to ensure that it is still well monitored. In order not to multiply the interlocutors, the various organizations (Pôle emploi, local missions, employment framework, etc.) will see their tools and databases shared.
Read alsoHow France Work wants to become more efficient than Pôle emploi
What are the rewards?
In parallel with their registration, RSA recipients will have to sign a renewed commitment contract. The latter stipulates that the community will implement the means to help these people return to employment, and in return, the beneficiary is also bound by duties. The 15 to 20 hours a week, which has been the subject of much discussion, is not in the law. Instead, this contract will mention the level of intensity of the action plan towards a return to employment.
What sanctions?
To ensure the proper realization of these duties, the sanctions will also be reviewed in order to become: "more progressive and more effective," explains Matignon. At present, only outright delisting and temporary deletion exist. This will create a suspension of aid with the possibility of retroactive payment if the beneficiary complies with his duties.
What timetable?
The creation of France work is set for January 1, 2024. However, lines could move as the bill passes through parliament. Moreover, the project is not intended to be dogmatic and decided at the top. It must therefore be gradually implemented and may evolve according to feedback from the field. Currently 18 volunteer departments have already been designated to launch initial experiments. Some began as early as March 2023. Their generalization and deepening should be done gradually, starting with voluntary territories, so that this reform is 100% effective in 2027.