The CFDT union has rejected outright the Medef's proposal to create a specific open-ended contract for young people far removed from the job market. Its general secretary, Marylise Léon, stated on Saturday that the employers' proposal did not constitute an acceptable basis for discussion, clearly refusing to engage in it.
The proposed scheme would provide for easier termination of the contract during the first few years, modeled on an Italian reform of 2016. Presented at a meeting between trade unions and employers at the end of January, the initiative has sparked strong criticism, with some seeing it as a less protective contract for young people.
An already isolated project
Within the government, the executive branch quickly distanced itself from this approach, with the Minister of Labor deeming it lacking in consensus. In terms of public opinion, a recent poll indicates that only a minority of French people consider this measure effective in reducing unemployment among those under 25.
The CFDT, which promises to formulate its own proposals soon, calls for a comprehensive approach to the professional integration of young people. It particularly emphasizes local support programs for employment, as the youth unemployment rate remains a central issue in social debate.
