France: leave of absence for vaccination appointments and new grounds for dismissal in health bill

The French government has set in motion the legislative process that will extend the so-called health pass (pass sanitaire) and make vaccination mandatory for health workers. Under the text, which has been submitted to the Council of State and seen by Planet Labor, there will be new grounds for dismissal of staff at establishments where members of the public must hold a health pass – meaning they are fully vaccinated or have proof of a recent negative Covid-19 test – in order to enter. Such establishments include bars and restaurants, places of leisure, large facilities, shopping centres and services attended by “vulnerable” individuals. Staff who, for a period of two months, cannot come to work because they are yet to be fully vaccinated, cannot provide a negative Covid-19 test or a certificate to say they have recovered from an infection of the virus may be dismissed. Healthcare workers and employees of healthcare facilities, such as company health services, also risk such punishment. Meanwhile, five months on from the launch of the vaccination campaign in companies, the government’s bill introduces leave of absence for vaccination appointments. According to article 6 of the bill, such absences should not entail “any reduction in remuneration” and should be “treated as a period of actual work”. The bill, which may be amended following submission to the Council of State, will be discussed in parliament, which will be convened for extraordinary session from 21 July, and could be enacted at the beginning of August.