France: employment central to prime minister’s budgetary announcements

In an alarmist speech on the state of French public finances delivered on 15 July, French prime minister François Bayrou announced €44 billion in measures starting in 2026. These include tighter controls on sick leave, particularly for periods of more than 18 months, and the abolition of the requirement to consult an occupational physician for early return to work after sick leave of more than 30 days (except in the case of accidents at work and occupational illnesses). Above all, in a bid to “