INTERVIEW. “More than 2,000 RSA beneficiaries have been successfully supported” in Aveyron, which welcomes the Minister of Labor Astrid Panosyan-Bouvet

Minister Astrid Panosyan-Bouvet (left) participated in a round table with various interlocutors, alongside Prefect Claire Chauffour-Rouillard. Jean-Louis Bories

Minister in charge of Labor and Employment, Astrid Panosyan-Bouvet was present this Wednesday, January 8 in Aveyron where she discussed, among other things, the Active Solidarity Income system. She continues her visit to various Aveyron companies this Thursday.

Aveyron was one of the “pilot” territories in the experiment of the RSA under conditions. Can you remind us of these conditions ? The measure has aroused hostility from certain beneficiaries, including farmers recently, what do you have to say to them since the measure has been generalized since January 1st ?

All RSA beneficiaries, including agricultural workers, must now be registered with France Travail. It is this registration that allows personalized support towards returning to work. It is very important: we cannot exempt ourselves from helping those who are on the RSA to find their way back to work simply because we give them a check every month. This is good neither for our social cohesion nor for our economy. Everyone has a place in the world of work.

The 15 hours of activity that are requested are not “free work”. It can be help to write a CV, training, immersion in a company… It is above all an objective: each personal situation is different and not all RSA beneficiaries will need the same support.

The specific challenges of agricultural activity will of course be taken into account. Agricultural workers who receive more than €500 per month will not be required to sign a commitment contract. In conjunction with my colleague Annie Genevard, Minister of Agriculture, a national agreement is also being prepared between France Travail and the Caisse Centrale de la Mutualité Sociale Agricole to define adapted support offers based on existing local offers. The Aveyron experiment led by the president of the departmental council Arnaud Viala can give us some lessons on the question.

What feedback has been received following this experiment ? Do you have any figures on the current number of beneficiaries, in Aveyron and at the national level ? Have some of them already found their way back to employment ?

At the national level, since 2023, 70,000 RSA beneficiaries have been supported in 49 departments. The results speak for themselves: 12 months after starting support, 42% are no longer on RSA. Furthermore, 90% of beneficiaries are satisfied with their support and 50% are very satisfied. Aveyron is one of the 18 “pioneer” departments that has been part of the experiment from the start. More than 2,000 RSA beneficiaries have been supported since it began. Here too, the results are very positive: 54% have found employment at least once in 12 months. This is more than the national results!

The topic of senior employment is also on the agenda for your visit to the department. What are your courses of action to “remobilize, integrate and recruit” seniors ?

Nationally, the employment rate of seniors is increasing, but it remains much lower than that of our EU neighbours. The agreement on the employment of seniors signed in November by the social partners – whom I would like to thank – is a significant step forward. It provides for a reinforced mid-career interview linked to the medical examination. It also requires mandatory negotiation on seniors in companies and sectors, covering the recruitment of experienced employees, their continued employment, job adjustments and access to training. It also provides for the creation of a new type of contract to enhance experience, and the lowering of the eligibility age for gradual retirement from 62 to 60.

However, much remains to be done: age is the main form of discrimination at work. We must continue to fight against stereotypes, maintain employment for those over 50 and encourage their recruitment. Together we can create an inclusive and rewarding work environment for all ages!

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In Aveyron in particular, the proportion of seniors among job seekers and long-term job seekers among senior job seekers are higher than the national average. But the Occitanie region has clearly identified the problem and tackled it head on: the employment of seniors is one of the key priorities of the Regional Committee for Employment set up last October. It has a clear action plan to maintain employment (by working on adapting positions or prevention) or recruitment (by training, subsidized contracts, etc.). A great many experiments and promising actions are already underway, as close as possible to the needs on the ground.

Concerning apprenticeships, can you provide details on the “adjustment of credits for businesses” measure in favor of hiring apprentices ?

The new aid will be a maximum of €6,000 for the recruitment of apprentices with disabilities, €5,000 for companies with fewer than 250 employees – which employ 80% of apprentices – and €2,000 for companies with 250 or more employees. This is more suited to the needs of each individual and, above all, it does not depend on the level of qualification because apprenticeship is a path to excellence for all. Supporting and promoting apprenticeships that facilitate the integration of young people are still a priority for the government.

For young people, I would like to emphasize how Aveyron can also be a model to follow – for example through a sector approach that relies on local know-how such as leather or cutlery, or through innovative initiatives such as preparing apprentices for the state diploma for nursing assistants… The results are there: – 2% youth unemployment in Aveyron when it increases by +2% nationally.

On the subject of pensions, you have declared yourself in favour of “adjustments”, particularly on arduous work and women's careers. What are the avenues envisaged in this area? ?

With Michel Barnier, last November, we invited the social partners to a consultation on fair and reasonable adjustments to the 2023 reform. The list is not exhaustive, but I see at least two subjects.

On professional wear and tear, we must go further than the progress made in 2023. We have created the Investment Fund for the Prevention of Professional Wear and Tear, with €200 million per year for 5 years to finance actions to prevent ergonomic risks. Unfortunately, it is still very underused by the professional sectors, even though the needs are immense. We must allow employees to work longer in better conditions, without being worn out.

There are also possible improvements on gender equality and family rights. The Pensions Advisory Board will provide initial analysis elements in the spring. I hope that the social partners will be at the forefront of the upcoming discussions.

What are the main areas of work of the Bayrou government in terms of work and employment ?

With François Bayrou and Catherine Vautrin, we want rapid and concrete results. I have four priorities.

First, simplify the retraining tools, in conjunction with social partners. There are many company restructurings and it is important to do everything possible to ensure the professional and salary continuity of the workers concerned.

Second, the employment of young people and seniors. They are at their highest but still low compared to our neighbors. For young people, this involves supporting and improving the systems that work – apprenticeships, support from local missions, incentives to move towards training that offers the best prospects for employment and salary, etc. – in conjunction with the National Education system in particular. For seniors, I talked about everything that the November agreement will allow. We also need to communicate about the place of seniors in companies for a real cultural revolution on the issue.

Thirdly, quality of life at work, health at work and absenteeism. We are not very good in France on these issues. I will organize a conference on work in the spring, bringing together social partners, but also work specialists, French and foreign researchers.

Finally, we must improve our collective productivity. To do this, we must strengthen the match between the skills we learn and those required by the professions in our economy.

I want – and I will – continue to be the minister of those who work, who are looking for work and who offer work!