Unaffordable rents, endless traffic jams, crowded trains... Working in Monaco is not an easy task.
But there is no shortage of advantages in terms of salaries and social security coverage and the principality is keen to let it be known that its companies are recruiting.
At the end of 2023, more than 64,000 people worked on this confetti of 2 km2 and 39,000 inhabitants, an increase of more than 5% in one year and 10% since 2019, according to the Monegasque Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (Imsee) .
Monegasques are a very small minority: less than 2% in the private sector and barely a quarter in the public sector.
In Monaco, employees are most often French (61%) or Italian (15%), but also Portuguese, Romanians, British, Filipinos... Only 11% live in the principality, where real estate prices are the lowest. most expensive in the world.
The others travel every day from France (80%) - and not necessarily from neighboring towns, which are also overpriced - or Italy (8%).
They therefore have to deal with traffic jams or crowded trains, which are rarely punctual during rush hours.
To remedy this, a new park and ride facility is being built near the motorway and the train service should increase in the coming years, but the maritime shuttle projects, and even the Nice-Ventimiglia metro, are at a standstill. .
“There are people who abandon us because they can no longer stand 1.5 hours of traffic jams every morning
,” complains Philippe Ortelli, president of the Federation of Monegasque Businesses.
Senior executives are going to Sophia Antipolis
, the technology park on the other side of Nice.
“
The world of work has changed, it is no longer the employee who flirts with employers.
It’s up to us to be sexy
,” he adds.
And Monaco has some advantages: net remuneration up to 30% higher than those offered in France, excellent social security coverage, generous family allowances and even retirement conditions
“without common measure”
with neighboring countries, lists Christophe Robino, Minister of Social Affairs and Health.
Read also Cross-border workers in Monaco: the list of French cities to live near the Principality
“The fortune of the frontier”
On the tax side, the French are exempt from CGS and the Italians benefit from significant reductions.
Even if there remain some anachronisms.
Thus, part of social benefits are paid to the “head of household”, therefore not to mothers, even when the father does not work in Monaco.
And above all, the employer does not need a reason to terminate a permanent contract.
“This puts constant pressure on employees
,” assures Olivier Cardot, secretary general of the Union of Monaco Trade Unions.
But
“the attractiveness is there”
, rejoices Christophe Robino.
As proven by the 5,000 candidates who participated in the second “Monaco for employment” forum on Friday, a formula tested in September and which will become an annual event.
In addition to seasonal workers in the hotel, catering and events industry, Monaco needs qualified technicians for its constant construction sites, plumbers, electricians, digital specialists and even accountants and lawyers.
Sam Kaveh, 19, an Iranian living in Nice for a year, is looking for a job before resuming training in sociology.
He applied in security, events and temp work.
“It’s well paid here, and it’s Monaco!”
, he rejoices.
Same refrain for Cioffi Pantaleone, 37 years old, Italian cook from Ventimiglia.
He comes on a motorbike and has worked as a seasonal worker in a palace in the principality since 2017, but he can no longer live on only six months of salary per year and some unemployment benefits.
Unable to find a place in a kitchen open all year round, he leaves his CV everywhere.
“Gardener why not, anything but year-round. And in Monaco. Monaco is the fortune of the cross-border worker
,” he explains.
Loryn Zenarre-Willo, 24, is finishing a Master 2 in finance in Nice on a work-study basis.
Specializing in banking compliance, the activity which makes it possible to combat money laundering in particular, she queues up to introduce herself to the various banks present.
And she is confident:
“Here there is demand in this sector.
And the armored train, frankly, I come from the Paris region..."