Recent remarks by economist Jean-Claude Delgènes on Public Sénat have ignited heated responses on French social media regarding the country’s labor conditions. Delgènes asserted that France has “completely fallen behind” in its workplace standards, citing a 2021 study that ranks the nation 36th in working conditions, on par with Albania. This statement resonates deeply as concerns over precarious employment have surfaced prominently in France, particularly following a series of tragic workplace accidents that claimed the lives of five young workers aged between 15 and 19 over the past couple of months.
To evaluate Delgènes’ claims, we must reference the Eurofound’s 2021 European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS), which assesses conditions across 36 nations, including all EU member states. The survey employs a ‘job quality index’ that evaluates various dimensions such as health, safety, and overall job satisfaction. Findings indicate that many workers in France endure “extremely strained” or “highly strained” working environments—only trailing behind Serbia, Montenegro, Slovakia, and Poland in this regard. Thus, the data underlining Delgènes’ assertion does reveal significant concerns about worker conditions in France.
However, a more nuanced analysis of the ranking shows that France is not as poorly positioned as initially suggested. When accounting for those experiencing ‘moderately strained’ conditions, France falls to the second-to-last position, exceeding only Slovakia, while Albania ranks slightly better. This indicates that the dire assessment claiming France’s position alongside Albania isn’t entirely accurate. Furthermore, when focusing exclusively on individuals reporting the most severe “extremely strained” conditions, France actually holds the 30th position—outpacing a number of EU countries, including Croatia and Cyprus.
Despite France not being at the absolute bottom tier, the reported data confirms that the country still lags behind most of its EU counterparts concerning labor conditions. Eurostat data corroborates concerns about workplace safety, showing that France sits near the bottom for the incidence of fatal workplace accidents, with only Malta recording fewer. The alarming statistic of two daily workplace fatalities underscores the severity of safety concerns, particularly in light of the recent tragedies involving young workers.
Echoing these concerns, the French government has initiated discussions on potential reforms to enhance workplace safety. Proposed measures include imposing fines and criminal charges on employers found responsible for workplace accidents and standards violations. These proposed actions aim to ensure that safety protocols are adhered to and that employer accountability is reinforced to prevent further loss of life and promote healthier working environments.
The discussion surrounding working conditions in France is more than a mere statistical analysis; it reflects the pressing need for meaningful reforms to address precarity in labor. As the country grapples with public sentiment and tragic incidents, the push for improved workplace conditions may catalyze significant policy changes in the near future, highlighting the ongoing struggle for worker rights and safety in France.
