French Senate Proposes 7 Unpaid Work Hours Annually to Fund Social Security

The measure, expected to generate €2.5 billion annually, faces government hesitation and further legislative debate.

The French Senate has approved a proposal requiring all workers to contribute seven unpaid work hours annually to support the social security system.
This 'contribution of solidarity' aims to raise €2.5 billion per year for elder care and disability services, addressing significant funding gaps.
The measure passed the Senate by 216 votes to 119 but is not yet final, requiring further discussion in a joint commission of deputies and senators next week.
The government has expressed reservations about the proposal in its current form but is open to revising it in collaboration with social partners.
Critics, particularly from the political left, have condemned the measure as unfair to workers, suggesting alternative approaches like taxing dividends.