“Les sacrifices pour le monde du travail, ça suffit!” – French unions react to government’s budget plans
On 29 August in Paris, eight French trade union confederations — CFDT, CGT, FO, CFE-CGC, CFTC, UNSA, FSU and Solidaires — presented a joint declaration in response to the draft 2026 budget announced by Prime Minister François Bayrou on 15 July.
The inter-union statement, titled “Les sacrifices pour le monde du travail, ça suffit !”, describes the government’s proposals as particularly severe.
Among the measures announced are the removal of Prime Minister François Bayrous, a new reform of unemployment insurance, a freeze on social benefits and public-sector pay, changes to pension indexation, higher medical co-payments and possible adjustments to paid leave.
The government has argued that these steps are needed to address public debt, while the unions contend that the cost is being shifted onto workers and citizens.
In their communiqué, the organisations also link the current budgetary situation to previous policy choices, pointing in particular to tax reductions for higher income groups and state support for businesses.
They warn that the proposed measures could further affect wages, job security and access to public services.
The unions have launched a petition that they say has already gathered several hundred thousand signatures and announced a national day of action, including strikes and demonstrations, on 18 September.
French unions call this mobilisation an opportunity for workers and citizens to make their voices heard on the direction of public policy.
Further initiatives are expected after this first day of action, as the inter-union continues to coordinate its response to the government’s budget plans.
CEC European Managers expresses its full support to its French member organisation CFE-CGC and to the managers and leaders it represents, recognising their role in upholding constructive social dialogue in times of economic and social challenge.
