Government Proposal to Eliminate Public Holidays Sparks Economic Debate
Prime Minister Bayrou's controversial proposal to eliminate two public holidays aims to boost the economy but faces union backlash.
Key Points
- • François Bayrou proposes to eliminate two public holidays to gain additional workdays.
- • The government suggests this could generate 4.2 billion euros in revenue.
- • Labor unions oppose the proposal, arguing it unfairly burdens workers without raising pay.
- • This initiative is part of a larger strategy to cut the public deficit to 4.6% of GDP by 2026.
On July 15, 2025, French Prime Minister François Bayrou proposed the elimination of two public holidays to increase workdays and stimulate the economy, a move that has drawn both support and criticism. According to the government, this initiative could yield approximately 4.2 billion euros in additional revenue.
Bayrou, who emphasized that increasing work duration is pivotal for economic recovery, noted that French workers on average work about 100 hours less per year than their German counterparts. "It is necessary for the entire nation to work more to produce more," he stated during the announcement.
The proposal is part of a broader strategy aimed at reducing France's budget deficit to 4.6% of GDP by the year 2026. If passed, the plan mandates that employees work two additional days without an increase in salary, raising concerns about the impact on workers’ rights.
Labor unions have been vocally opposed to the proposal. Sophie Binet, Secretary General of the CGT, criticized it as "the triple penalty" for workers, arguing that employees would be compelled to work more hours without financial compensation, thereby eroding social rights. She further highlighted that workers would lose two holidays but not gain any additional pay for these extra days worked.
The government views the initiative as crucial for achieving a broader goal of saving about 43.8 billion euros. However, details on how businesses will support this shift and the specifics of their contribution are still under negotiation.
As the debate unfolds, it remains to be seen how this controversial proposal will affect public sentiment and the economy at large. Critics warn that such measures could deepen existing inequalities, while supporters argue that they are necessary for economic growth.