Framework letter on unemployment insurance: the CGT accuses the government of "making drastic savings at the expense of the unemployed"

On Friday, the government sent its letter to the social partners, setting out the framework for negotiating a new unemployment insurance reform with the aim of achieving "2 to 2.5 billion euros" in savings per year on average from 2026 to 2029.

"All this is window dressing to try to justify that we are going to make drastic savings on the backs of the unemployed, once again," denounced Denis Gravouil, member of the CGT confederal office in charge of employment, pensions and unemployment, on franceinfo after the government sent the "framework letter" on unemployment insurance to the social partners on Saturday, August 9. It sets the objective of achieving "2 to 2.5 billion euros" in savings per year from 2026 to 2029. A plan, "unacceptable" according to the CGT.

"We should cut 10% of unemployment insurance spending when we have already made enormous savings over the years that have created poverty ," denounces Denis Gravouil. "It's a plan that relies on those who work, who have worked or who are looking for work and not on the very rich, the shareholders of very large companies who continue to be spared by this millionaire government."

To speed up the return to work, the document also specifies that it is necessary to "strengthen incentives" for people who have concluded a mutual termination agreement. "In the vast majority of cases, it is to suit the boss and not the employee," denounces Denis Gravouil. "We know very well that what happens when we reduce the rights of the unemployed, whether after a mutual termination agreement or something else, is that we push people to take jobs that do not suit them and leave to survive," he laments.