Antoine Armand pointed out Monday morning that “the French generally work less than our neighbors.” “We must make this effort together,” he insisted.
Faced with the situation of public finances he judges “extremely worrying”the Minister of Economy and Finance Antoine Armand spoke out on Monday morning in favor of increasing the number of hours worked, to finance our social protection model. “Every year the French work less overall than our neighbors, more than a year”the minister complained to Europe 1/Cnews this Monday morning, before listing the consequences on the state’s public finances: “fewer contributions, less revenue and, obviously, fewer jobs, less work, less growth”. “However, it is this growth that creates wealth”believes those who remember that our social model is due solely to the fact that“there are people who work every day” to finance it.
“What I say today is that the amount of hours worked in France is no longer sufficient to finance our social model and that, if we want to preserve it, we will have to work harder. It is a political observation and belief.”he said. The elected official even mentions the risk of “stall” from France “compared to the United States and Asia” Who “they have growth rates 3 to 5 times higher”. “We must wake up and work collectively, and when the deficits disappear, we will be less strong and France will be more vulnerable (…) we must make this effort together”he continued, convinced that the French are deeply attacked “our social system” et “to our pay-as-you-go pensions”.
Read also
Is France really the country where employees work “least in Europe”?
” data-script=” >
“Work must pay more”
To achieve this, Antoine Armand asked for more “of justice and equity”. “We must help those who work and make work pay better”he insisted, ready to defend all measures that allow more French people to work. “This is the principle of pension reform” but also “apprenticeship reform” or even “of the reform of the RSAs”he explained. On this last topic, the idea being in fact according to the Minister of“accompany” beneficiaries of the Active Solidarity Income in order to “make sure they find work”. And to guarantee: “I can’t tell you that you have to work harder and, at the same time, not touch an allowance that no longer works.”
The minister also defended his plan to lower labor costs. “I belong to a political sensibility that has lowered the cost of labor (…) We want the difference between what the employer costs and what the employee receives at the end of the month to be reduced”specifies Antoine Armand, who wants it “make reforms” et “lower labor costs”. However, claiming to listen to business leaders “particularly SME-VSEs”he assured that he was ready to do so “consider the possibility of modulating this measure” so “that increases in contributions are less significant, especially for low wages”. “If I put a measure on the table that costs money, I must put a measure on the table that allows us to create activities, employment and work in France, because we need it”ensures the elected.
he assured that the Minister of Civil Service, Guillaume Kasbarian, is working “with great courage”to align public sick pay with that of the private sector. “Is aligning the public sector with the private sector anything other than a measure of justice?”he wondered. But no questions, according to him, “to make the imbalances of another era thrive in a world where we need to work harder”. Defend a “Difficult budget that requires commitment”he finally ended it “return below 5% (public deficit, ed.) in 2025” it wasn’t “It is not the whim of a minister”Moreover “a necessity for our public finances”.
#Economy #Ministers #recipe #save #social #model
Interview: The Future of Work in France
Time.news Editor: Good morning and welcome to Time.news! Today, we have Antoine Armand, the French Minister of Economy and Finance, with us. Minister Armand, thank you for joining us.
Antoine Armand: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
Editor: You recently made headlines by stating that “the French generally work less than our neighbors.” Can you elaborate on why you believe this has become a pressing issue for France?
Armand: Absolutely. The reality is that the number of hours worked in France has been declining relative to our European neighbors. This trend poses significant risks to our public finances. With fewer contributions and less revenue, we ultimately hinder our capacity to support essential social protection systems, which many citizens rely on daily.
Editor: That sounds quite concerning. You’ve mentioned that this situation could leave France vulnerable compared to countries like the United States and those in Asia. Can you explain what you mean by this potential “stall” in progress?
Armand: Yes, indeed. When we look at growth rates, countries like the U.S. and those in Asia have consistently outperformed us, with growth rates 3 to 5 times higher. Such disparities can lead to a risk of stagnation in France, meaning not only slower economic growth but also potential job losses and reduced opportunities for our citizens. To maintain and improve our social systems, we must collectively commit to working harder.
Editor: You emphasized the need for a collective effort. What specific measures are you proposing to encourage more working hours while ensuring that work pays better?
Armand: The key is to foster justice and equity in the workplace. I advocate for reforms that make work more rewarding. This includes pension reform, apprenticeship programs, and revamping the Active Solidarity Income to better assist beneficiaries in securing jobs. It’s essential that we ensure these allowances do not create disincentives for work. If we are asking people to work harder, we have to make it worth their while.
Editor: That’s a bold approach. Many might argue that increasing working hours could lead to employee burnout rather than increased productivity. How do you foresee balancing this?
Armand: I understand those concerns, and it’s critical to find a balance between increased hours and employee well-being. It’s not just about working more; it’s about working smarter and ensuring that the work environment is fair and supportive. Our goal is to create conditions that incentivize work while also addressing quality of life for workers.
Editor: You mentioned lowering labor costs as part of your strategy. How do you plan to implement these reductions without compromising worker rights?
Armand: Lowering labor costs can be achieved through strategic reforms that encourage businesses to hire more. My aim is to reduce administrative burdens and promote entrepreneurship. We can certainly lower costs while still ensuring that employees are well-compensated and their rights are protected. It’s all about creating a supportive environment for both workers and employers.
Editor: Looking ahead, what would you say is your ultimate vision for the French workforce in light of these reforms?
Armand: My vision is a France where hard work is rewarded, leading to sustainable economic growth that benefits everyone. We must ensure our social model isn’t just preserved but is thriving, supported by a workforce that is engaged, well-compensated, and equipped to face the challenges of the global economy.
Editor: Thank you, Minister Armand, for sharing your insights today. Your perspective on work in France is indeed vital, and we look forward to seeing how these initiatives develop.
Armand: Thank you for having me. Together, we can make a significant change for the future of work in France.