Employment is a major concern in France, even more so since the economic crisis. Though the employment rate among 15-64 year olds increased during the first trimester of 2010, reaching 63.8%, the proportion of short-term and temporary contracts rose. Only 49.3% of this age group have permanent contracts (contrat à durée indéterminée; CDI).
In July 2010, the government presented its most recent figures with optimism: the number of unemployed people had fallen by 14,400 – the largest reduction since February 2008. Moreover, it was the first time since the onset of the crisis that unemployment had decreased for two consecutive months.
However, there are still 2,676,600 job seekers in France. Furthermore, 1,436,200 of them have been out of work for more than a year – a figure which rose by 27% in the previous twelve months.
Laurent Wauquiez, secretary of state for employment, confirmed on 25 July that ''employment has been, is and will be one of the major concerns of the government''. He was optimistic about a phase-out of unemployment before the end of 2010 and an actual decrease in 2011. On the other hand, he said the government would be ''cautious and realistic'' in the coming weeks.
EU target not a key objective for France
The EU's employment target, part of the 'Europe 2020 strategy and which aims to raise the employment rate among 20-64 year olds to 75% by 2020 – is not viewed as a major objective in France. According to Claude Emmanuel Triomphe, director of Metis (a media site dedicated to European work issues), "the French employment policy goal has never been to follow European policy".
Moreover, many French trade unions and observers believe that Europe 2020 does not offer genuine solutions to tackle unemployment. Denis Meynent, European affairs advisor at the trade union Confédération générale du travail (CGT), has ''strong reservations'' about the strategy's objectives. Even if the quantitative target is 5% higher than before, he said, a qualitative target is needed – particularly as short-term contracts are on the increase.
Both young and old workers in France are seriously concerned about unemployment: 23% of under-25s do not have a job, while the number of unemployed citizens above the age of 50 has strongly increased – a 17.6% rise within the last year. These figures explain why the government wants to bring in measures for the two age groups.
Government measures under fire
Government support for apprenticeships, which contributed to the improved employment rate among young people, is set to continue. Meanwhile, since 1 January 2010, companies with over 50 employees are obliged to set up three-year plans to boost jobs among older people. The government has also proposed the removal of costs for companies hiring older employees.
Nevertheless, Triomphe believes that the new measures will not solve the problems surrounding young and old recruitment. There may be a ''staggering turnover of measures'' aimed at improving France's employment policy, he noted, but the system ultimately lacks stability.
In addition, the measures will not change French habits – which are largely responsible for unemployment among senior citizens – and most policies are devised with large companies in mind, he stated.
The French government is also being criticised for its reform of the pension system, which will increase the retirement age from 60 to 62 years old. Trade unions have been particularly opposed to the reform, with a large demonstration set for 7 September.
