reform expected by bosses who are struggling to recruit in the Loire

The majority succeeded in having the National Assembly adopt Tuesday, October 11, its unemployment insurance bill, at first reading (303 votes for, 249 against and 11 abstentions). Objective of this text carried by the Minister of Labor, Olivier Dussopt, to have more flexibility to change the rules of access to benefits : more generous and more protective if unemployment is high, but stricter in times of full employment, as is currently the case.

And many sectors are struggling to recruit, especially in catering. Laurine Coniglio, manager of two pizzerias from the Saint-Etienne brand Pizza Cozy, has been looking for two people for four months. However, the offer has something to attract, believes the manager: CDI, two and a half days off per week, €11.07 per hour and bonuses, “It’s not a classic Smic. There are bonuses on cut-off times, dirt bonus, weekend hours. So it’s quickly very interesting.”

In addition, the hours of his pizzeria are less restrictive than in classic restaurants. So she believes that it corresponds more to people who normally come to apply at home: “It’s the 20-25 year olds. And when we start at 11 a.m. and finish at 1 p.m. When we then resume at 5 p.m. and finish at 9.30 p.m., it’s very comfortable. For them, the evening can just begin afterwards to join the friends”.

But since July, she has received only ten resumes received. And very often no answer on the phone, she said. So this manager wonders: does the CDI scare young people? Or maybe the resumes she receives are just ways to keep getting unemployment?

“When at times I hear candidates who talk to me about unemployment insurance as their salary, and not as an allowance, I do not hide from you that it makes my hair stand on end.” Laurent Charrel, manager of the Scama Furania carpentry.

The only certainty is that Laurine is not the only one. The confederation of small and medium-sized enterprises (CPME) of the Loire region estimates thatone in two companies is struggling to recruit at the moment. “It’s all sectors combined, assures the vice-president of CPME 42, Eric Digonnet. From masons, to electricians, to leisure businesses, to catering. I don’t know any companies that have told me I don’t need to recruit.”

Laurent Charrel is also one of the companies struggling to hire. He runs Sacma Furania, a carpentry workshop in Saint-Étienne. He would have the means to hire six to seven people on permanent contracts, but he can’t find anyone. This boss is convinced: this reform will motivate job seekers to apply to him.

“Today, when I interview, I have the impression that it is me who is interviewing rather than the candidate, because we have to put forward everything to which he will be entitled. […] We can find ourselves in difficulty when a company goes bankrupt and unemployment is made for these people. On the other hand, when at times I hear candidates who talk to me about unemployment insurance as their salary, and not as an allowance, I do not hide from you that it makes my hair stand on end.

The bill on unemployment insurance will be debated in second reading by the Senate from 25 October.