Removal of two public holidays: the government confirms its target of 4.2 billion euros in revenue by 2026

The amount is now official. By eliminating two public holidays , the government is aiming for a return of 4.2 billion euros for the state budget by 2026, according to the policy document sent to social partners, consulted by AFP this Sunday.

The government wishes to "include in the 2026 finance bill a measure to remove the public holiday status of two days, Easter Monday and May 8 ," for both private and public sector employees, adding that the choice of the two days concerned can still be "discussed," according to this letter.

The social partners must inform him "by September 1" whether they wish to enter into negotiations, which must, if necessary, be concluded "by September 30 at the latest."

"Monthly paid employees and public sector employees will not be paid more for these new working hours" and "in return, private sector employers will pay a contribution which will be allocated to the State budget ", a system modelled on that of the solidarity day.

On July 15, Prime Minister François Bayrou discussed the elimination of two public holidays to contribute to the budgetary effort. The details of the implementation of this measure, presented as a lever to increase the annual workload, produce more, and strengthen France's economic competitiveness, have yet to be clarified.

This guidance document was sent to the social partners on Saturday at the same time as the "framework letter" on unemployment insurance, a roadmap setting out the framework for negotiating a new reform, with the objective of achieving "2 to 2.5 billion euros" in savings per year from 2026 to 2029.