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France launches crisis cell and partial‑work scheme to aid businesses hit by forest fires
In response to the severe forest fires that have swept several French regions, the government and business organisations have introduced a series of support measures. Les Entrepreneurs, the rebranded Confédération des petites et moyennes entreprises, announced on 27 July 2026 a national crisis cell to collect information from affected firms, identify their difficulties and maintain dialogue with public authorities. The cell will remain active as long as needed, and an online information hub has been set up for companies to access the latest aid measures.
The Ministry of Labour issued a FAQ on 28 July 2026 outlining the conditions under which firms may resort to the partial‑activity (activité partielle) scheme. Employers can apply when premises are directly damaged, when they are located in evacuated or restricted zones, or when other solutions such as teleworking or paid leave are not feasible. The scheme allows a maximum duration of six months, renewable, with salary compensation of up to 60 % of wages.
Regional data show the scale of the disruption: the Bordeaux‑Gironde Chamber of Commerce estimates 14 500 businesses unable to operate normally, and analyses by Les Entrepreneurs suggest around 50 000 employees are affected.
Separately, the interior ministry reported that 308 people have been arrested for arson or related offences since the fires began. Deputy Mathieu Bloch has proposed a bill to raise the maximum prison term for intentional arson from 15 to 20‑30 years, arguing that harsher penalties are needed to deter future incidents.
Entities
Council for the Protection of Self‑Employed Workers (CPSTI) · French Ministry of Labour · French government · Jean‑Pierre Farandou · Laurent Nunez · Les Entrepreneurs (Confédération des petites et moyennes entreprises) · Mathieu Bloch · Ministry of Labour (France) · Urssaf
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Deputy Mathieu Bloch proposed increasing the maximum prison term for intentional arson from 15 to 20‑30 years. www.sudradio.fr
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Partial activity can be granted for up to six months, renewable, to firms directly damaged, in evacuated zones, or under access restrictions. www.legisocial.fr
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Ministry of Labour published a FAQ on 28 July 2026 detailing conditions for using the partial‑activity scheme for fire‑affected firms. www.legisocial.fr
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Approximately 50 000 employees are affected by the forest‑fire disruptions in the region. www.agipi.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Les Entrepreneurs announced a national crisis cell for businesses affected by forest fires on 27 July 2026. www.agipi.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The government announced emergency measures including salary compensation of up to 60 % for workers under the partial‑activity scheme. www.sudradio.fr
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Around 14 500 businesses in Gironde are unable to operate normally because of the fires. www.agipi.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Since the start of the fires, 308 people have been arrested for arson or related offences. www.sudradio.fr