France Parliament approves cut to unemployment benefit period for conventional ruptures

The French Parliament has enacted a law implementing the agreement reached by employer and union representatives to shorten the maximum duration of unemployment benefits for workers who leave their job by mutual agreement. The reform reduces the benefit period from 18 months to 15 months for claimants under 55 and lowers the ceiling for those over 55 from 22.5 months to 20.5 months, with possible extensions evaluated case‑by‑case.

The change is projected to generate about €800 million in annual savings for the unemployment insurance system and to facilitate roughly 15,000 additional returns to employment each year. In 2024, 515,000 conventional ruptures were recorded, accounting for more than a quarter of unemployment insurance spending. The law passed with a vote of 353‑114, supported by the right, centre and far‑right, while left‑wing parties and the CGT and CFE‑CGC unions opposed it. Minister of Labour Jean‑Pierre Farandou and Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu highlighted the reform’s role in strengthening the financial balance of Unédic and promoting job reintegration.