The Citizens' Climate Convention on Saturday rejected a proposal to reduce working hours to 28 hours a week, after heated debates.
The proposal to "reduce working time without loss of salary with the aim of sobriety and reduction of greenhouse gases" was rejected 65% by the 150 members of the Convention.
It is the first of some 150 measures subject to adoption by members to be rejected. Many speakers were particularly concerned about the economic consequences of the measure and the image that an adoption would give of their work.
"We wanted to say that the model and the system do not suit us"
“It is totally disconnected from reality and it is untenable in the current context. And this measure completely discredits the convention, it is to give the stick to be beaten. If it is proposed, it will be rejected and it will have just discredited our work ", judged Mélanie (in session, the members of the convention are only mentioned by their first names).
“Sharing is beautiful, but with the current crisis it is not possible. I have worked 50 hours a week all my life raising two children alone. It's always the same people who work less, always the same people who work more and for lousy wages, ”said Marie-Hélène, refusing the measure. “Teleworking before was a UFO, no one imagined it. But the application of this measure is not in six months, it is in ten years, we have to plan and reflect, ”replied Sylvie to defend the measure.
"We can agree or disagree, but it's not up to you to say that we're going to sound like puppets," said Annie. "We wanted to say that the model and the system do not suit us, so dare."
"The reduction in speed on the highway from 130 to 110 km / ha collected 60%"
The Citizens' Climate Convention on Friday began voting on a package of measures to fight global warming, some of which are already controversial and which could lead to a referendum. First objective adopted, at 96%: "Develop other modes of transport than the private car", with in particular a reform of the kilometric allowance in income tax, or an "improvement of the sustainable mobility package".
Less consensual within the CCC, the reduction in speed on the highway from 130 to 110 km / ha collected 60%. This proposal unsurprisingly sparked the ire of motorist associations, echoing the discontent already unleashed by the 80 km / h.
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Among other measures is a strong advertising framework, with banning signs in outdoor public space and for products with a high carbon footprint - such as large SUV-type vehicles. As well as heavy taxes on ultra-processed food, the ban on GMO seeds and a higher taxation of nitrogen fertilizers. The list also includes a ban on heated terraces or the lighting of shops at night.
"A real social project"
Other suggestions have already seen a (re) gain in favor during the Covid-19 crisis, such as the promotion of short circuits and organic food, the development of telework or the limitation of air flights. interiors. "All these measures go together" to form a whole, said Amel, one of the citizens, during the debates.
"A real social project," said Laurence Tubiana, co-chair of the CCC governance committee, who defends the idea of a referendum. Macron has repeatedly said he is open to this hypothesis for certain points. He will receive the 150 citizens on June 29. The head of state must on this occasion give a "first response" to their proposals, while the executive is preparing its recovery plan in the face of the deep recession born of the coronavirus crisis.