Social benefits paid to non-European foreigners: “We are not in a logic of national preference”, affirms the Minister of Labor

The joint committee on the immigration bill is due to resume this Tuesday morning. Guest of franceinfo 8.30, the Minister of Labor Olivier Dussopt assures that the majority refuses national preference, particularly on questions of social benefits.

Non-European foreignerswho work in our country must be helped“, says the Minister of Labor, Olivier Dussopt, on franceinfo this Tuesday. “We are not in a logic of national preference. We differentiate between those who work and those who do not work, whether we are French or foreign.“, he added.

The tightening of the allocation of social benefits paid to foreigners, in particular personalized housing assistance for non-European nationals, blocked discussions on the text at the joint committee (CMP) on Monday evening. The seven deputies and the seven senators must meet again this Tuesday morning to find an agreement on the immigration law.

Do not play the game of national preference

As the National Assembly voted on a motion to reject the bill on Monday, December 11, only “the Senate voted on a text”, recalls Olivier Dussoptand “this is what the Senate is asking. This is not what the CMP will do. This is not what the majority in the National Assembly wants“.

In order not to leave the text voted by the Senate as is, “there are discussions about the duration“, specifies the Minister of Labor, “there are discussions about waiting periods that can be put in place, knowing that even for French expatriates who return to France, there are already waiting periods. Let’s let the CMP work so that it finds the right balance by ensuring that those who work and who come to work can be supported as properly as possible“.

This is why the government cannot be accused of playing into the hands of the extreme right, points out Olivier Dussopt, because “Marine Le Pen and her friends explain to us all the time that their themes and their objective are national preference. This is not our case. We are not in a logic of national preference. We differentiate between those who work and those who do not work, whether we are French or foreign.“.

Regularizations in small amounts

As for non-European foreigners who come to France without working a single day in five years, “There are not a lot“, estimates Olivier Dussopt. Except for “exceptional executives“, “particularly for difficulties integrating refugees, but it is not the same status.”

Furthermore, in negotiations with the right and the Les Républicains party, “we have obtained provisions allowing men and women who work legally in professions in shortage, despite their irregular situation, to be regularized“, underlines the Minister of Labor. If the law is passed as it is, this regularization will take place”drop by drop and at the discretion of the prefect, on the basis of criteria and on the basis of legislative provisions“, he explains.