France Implements Major Worker Protection Laws Starting July 2025
France introduces comprehensive labor law reforms enhancing worker protections and benefits beginning July 2025.
Key Points
- • New heat risk protection measures for workers effective July 1, 2025
- • Unemployment benefits to increase by 0.5% starting July 1, 2025
- • Mandatory sick leave notification reform designed to reduce fraud
- • Changes in apprenticeship funding and expansion of sectors for fixed-term contracts
On July 1, 2025, France initiated significant legislative changes aimed at enhancing worker protections and improving labor rights. A new decree specifically addresses health risks related to extreme heat, mandating employers take preventative measures during heatwaves, particularly in high-risk sectors such as construction, agriculture, and metallurgy. This legislation defines specific heat thresholds, outlining responsibilities for employers to safeguard employee health during extreme temperatures.
In addition to health protections, unemployment benefits will see a modest increase of 0.5%, elevating the minimum daily allowance from €31.97 to €32.13, effective from the same date. The National Assembly has also passed a law, awaiting Senate approval, that grants employees the right to take paid time off for blood donations, responding to a pressing need for blood products in France.
Another critical reform involves the implementation of a new, more secure sick leave notification form, which will be mandatory starting July 1, 2025. This measure is designed to curtail fraudulent sick leave claims by introducing a form with enhanced security features, including holographic labels and magnetic ink.
Moreover, changes in apprenticeship funding mean that as of July 1, 2025, employers are required to contribute €750 for apprentices pursuing education beyond a bachelor’s degree. This policy aims to ensure a fairer distribution of training costs between the state and employers. Additionally, the new decree has broadened the applicability of fixed-term contracts (CDD), specifically including medical practices in underserved areas, effective from June 19, 2025.