France | Unemployment insurance benefits increased by 1.2% on July 1

Unemployment insurance benefits will be increased by 1.2% on July 1, Unédic announced on Thursday. This increase “would affect approximately 2 million job seekers receiving benefits” out of approximately 2.7 million in total, the organization jointly managed by trade union and employer organizations indicated in a press release.

The decision was taken during an Unédic board of directors, made up of representatives of employees and employers, and was voted on “by a majority of votes cast”, adds the organization. The CGT quickly denounced “the extreme weakness of this revaluation”.

Unédic argues that it “takes into account both the economic context and the financial balance of the unemployment insurance scheme” and points out that this revaluation “comes after two others in 2023 (+1.9% on April 1, then +1.9% on July 1)”. On average, the annual revaluation has been 1.68% over the last five years.

Positions of “unspeakable gravity”

In a press release, the CGT denounced “the extreme weakness of this revaluation”. “When all the union organisations demanded that inflation be taken into account, the employers blocked their position at an increase of 1.2%”, the union stated.

“A few days before the legislative elections, the government and employers continue to target unemployment insurance recipients,” the union denounces, recalling that the government is preparing to publish the decree implementing the new controversial unemployment insurance reform from December 1.

The CGT denounces positions of “nameless seriousness” and “criminal obstinacy on the part of employers and the government” while “the far right thrives on social despair”.