According to a press release from Unédic, unemployment insurance benefits will be increased by 1.2% on July 1. This decision was made during a board of directors meeting composed of representatives from both employees and employers, with the increase taking into account the economic context and financial balance of the unemployment insurance scheme.
This is the third increase in benefits this year, following two others on April 1 and July 1. On average, the annual revaluation has been 1.68% over the last five years, with an estimated amount of 150 million euros for the unemployment insurance scheme and 210 million euros for 2025. The revaluation will result in an increase in the minimum allowance for a beneficiary who has not worked in the month, from 979.29 euros gross to 991.07 euros gross.
However, while this increase may provide relief for many job seekers in France, it has also sparked controversy among labor unions such as the CGT. The union quickly denounced what they saw as an inadequate revaluation that does not take into account inflation and accused the government of targeting unemployment insurance recipients amidst ongoing reform debates. Despite this opposition, it remains to be seen how this increase will impact social welfare programs in France moving forward.
Overall, while this decision may bring some relief to job seekers receiving benefits, it highlights ongoing concerns about social welfare policies and their effectiveness in addressing economic challenges faced by many workers in France today.
