5th week of paid leave monetized? The government is "dismantling social benefits," warns the CGT (General Confederation of Labour)

The government has been "dismantling social benefits for years." CGT Confederal Secretary Denis Gravouil strongly criticized the government's proposal to monetize the fifth week of paid leave on RMC on Friday. In concrete terms, employees will be able to exchange this week for additional pay.

"Paid leave was a gain of the Popular Front in 1936, and the fifth week was won in 1981. It's rest time. It's also respite time," argues Denis Gravouil.

The CGT's number two doesn't want to blame employees who agree to reduce their vacation time in order to work: "We completely understand people who say 'we need to earn more.'" According to him, this is not the right solution. "What's happening isn't a pay rise, it's that you're choosing to give up vacation time, supposedly voluntarily, but we know very well that most of the time it's forced volunteering."

"Why do people work overtime? Because wages are too low," insists Denis Gravouil.

The unionist instead defends a vision in which "we must increase wages and share wealth." He asserts, speaking to Apolline Matin , that France "has ample means to do so."

The CGT confederal secretary was also questioned about the comments of Ensemble pour la République MP Mathieu Lefèvre. Lefèvre proposed, on TF1, a return to the 35-hour week. "We must end the 35-hour week in this country and give businesses the freedom to organize themselves, obviously in conjunction with their employees. If businesses need more than 35 hours and their employees agree, let's do it," he declared.

An idea firmly rejected by Denis Gravouil: "It's a festival of reaction. All these people are playing Thatcher without having a majority, without public support. It's completely absurd."

The measures announced by François Bayrou could lead to a massive street mobilization. A meeting between the various union forces is planned "during the day," according to the CGT confederal secretary, to consider the mobilization. "The general strike isn't a button, but the anger has been there since Monday's announcements," concludes Denis Gravouil.