Unemployment insurance: government confirms aiming for "2 to 2.5 billion in savings per year" from 2026 to 2029

A new tightening of the screws for job seekers. If they agree to open negotiations on unemployment insurance , employers and unions are invited to agree by November 15 and to generate between "2 billion euros and 2.5 billion euros" in savings per year on average over the next four years, "with a gradual increase" to reach "at least 4 billion euros in savings at cruising speed from 2030" , according to this document.

Budget

In order to "encourage a rapid return to employment" , the framework document adds that it will be necessary to "modify the minimum duration of employment and the reference period necessary to open a right to unemployment which determines the maximum duration of compensation" .

"The financial situation of the unemployment insurance system and the need for more people to work make it necessary to change the rules of unemployment insurance," wrote Prime Minister François Bayrou in his letter to the social partners accompanying the framework document.

Arguing that "we must work more" , François Bayrou had hoped on July 15 that the social partners would open such negotiations on unemployment insurance to participate in the budgetary effort.

The unions then angrily welcomed the government's budgetary proposals and the announcement of these negotiations, in particular the new tightening of unemployment insurance, described as "total carnage for job seekers" by the CFDT's leader, Marylise Léon.

This new reform comes as the social partners reached an agreement in November 2024, with new rules for four years, most of which came into force on April 1 of this year.