Significant changes to the Active Solidarity Income (RSA) rules take effect on January 1, 2025, requiring nearly two million recipients to register with France Travail and commit to 15-20 hours of activities weekly. These activities aim to improve employability and include company immersion, obtaining a driver’s license, and training sessions. While the initiative seeks to support beneficiaries, concerns arise regarding administrative burdens, potential poverty increases, and the risk of unpaid labor. Noncompliance won’t immediately affect financial assistance, but sanctions may apply under certain conditions.
Changes to Active Solidarity Income (RSA) Rules
The regulations governing the Active Solidarity Income (RSA) have undergone significant modifications. As of January 1, 2025, nearly two million recipients are now automatically registered with France Travail, the new name for Pôle emploi. In addition to this registration, all beneficiaries are required to enter into a ‘commitment contract’ that outlines specific social and professional integration goals. One of the key components of this contract is the expectation that individuals will engage in 15 to 20 hours of activity each week, a promise made by Emmanuel Macron during his 2022 presidential campaign.
Understanding the 15 to 20 Hours of Activity
So, what exactly do these 15 to 20 hours entail? It’s important to clarify that these hours do not equate to traditional employment. They also do not involve volunteer work that falls outside the scope of the Labor Code, as outlined by the public service website. Instead, these hours may include activities such as ‘immersing oneself in a company to refine career goals,’ ‘acquiring a driver’s license,’ ‘taking steps to access various rights,’ or ‘engaging in activities within the nonprofit sector.’ Additionally, internships, interviews, or training sessions are also counted toward these activity hours.
The initiative’s primary goal was to enhance the employability of RSA beneficiaries, as this financial support is intended to be temporary and aimed at individuals with limited resources. Prior to the official rollout, this requirement was trialed in 2024, involving over 70,000 participants across 49 departments.
However, the results from this trial period have been mixed. The final report from the Ministry of Labor highlighted that ‘the administrative burden of monitoring the 15-20 hours is challenging to justify and may undermine the trust between beneficiaries and the government.’ While some recipients reported improvements in their self-confidence and agency, the report acknowledged that achieving the activity target was inconsistent.
Secours Catholique, a prominent charitable organization, has expressed more severe concerns regarding this policy. They noted a 10.8% increase in the rate of non-recourse to RSA in areas where the reform was tested, contrasting with a 0.8% decrease in other regions. The association warns of a potential rise in poverty levels and raises alarms about the risk of ‘free labor’ that could negatively impact the job market. They cited instances where local governments planned to have RSA recipients perform work, such as cemetery maintenance, typically done by municipal employees, without compensation.
What if a beneficiary fails to complete the required 15 hours of activity? Despite criticism, the government has pushed forward with the implementation of this system. The Ministry of Labor has reiterated that ‘the goal is not to condition access to RSA’ on these hours. Beneficiaries will not lose their financial assistance if they do not meet the activity requirement. The 15 hours are simply part of the commitment contract developed between the individual and their designated support organization, as emphasized by France Travail and the Ministries of Labor and Solidarity.
Nonetheless, the law enacted in 2023 does introduce the possibility of sanctions. Article 2 states that ‘the oversight of commitments made by RSA beneficiaries is the responsibility of the president of the departmental council, who can take measures to suspend or terminate payments if necessary.’ This includes the option to recommend to France Travail the removal of an individual from the job seeker list.