Working more for less: France’s austerity push sparks outrage
For decades, France has stood as Europe’s most defiant advocate for work-life balance. It enshrined the 35-hour workweek, guaranteed extensive paid holidays, and made the “right to disconnect” a legal entitlement. In the French imagination, leisure isn’t a luxury—it’s a birthright.But now, that ethos is under siege.Facing mounting fiscal pressure, the French government is floating a proposal that has struck a raw nerve: eliminate two public holidays in May to make up for budget deficits. The message, though couched in economic necessity, is crystal clear—work more, earn the same, expect less.And in a country where workers have historically fought to protect their time, that message is proving deeply unpopular.
The proposal: Two holidays down, €4.2 billion up
The suggestion came not from the Élysée Palace but from Prime Minister François Bayrou, who proposed scrapping the two May holidays as part of a broader austerity push to reduce public spending. By eliminating these holidays, France would potentially recoup €4.2 billion—a mere fraction of the €20 billion in targeted savings outlined by President Emmanuel Macron’s administration.But for French workers, this is more than arithmetic. It’s symbolic. The plan disrupts a longstanding cultural contract between labor and the state, one built not solely on productivity, but dignity and time.
Cultural whiplash: A nation known for saying “Non”
From the outside, France may seem economically indulgent. With 25 statutory vacation days, multiple public holidays, and strict labor protections, its labor model prioritizes balance over burnout.But the French defense of downtime is deeply rooted. It’s tied to historical movements, social values, and a rejection of the Anglo-American hustle culture. When Nicolas Sarkozy once said “Work more to earn more,” it was met with resistance. Bayrou’s implied version—“Work more, earn the same”—is being greeted with outright hostility.French unions have already raised red flags, framing the proposal as a “stealth attack” on workers’ rights. In the backdrop is a restive population still recovering from last year’s pension reform protests.
The economics: Is more work the real solution?
Economists are divided. On paper, cutting holidays could improve gross output. But critics say this amounts to squeezing the same workforce harder without structural gains.France’s true economic challenges lie elsewhere—low employment among older adults, high youth unemployment, and underutilization of immigrant labor. A recent report suggests that simply closing these employment gaps could add nearly 10% to France’s GDP.In that light, clawing back holidays appears more like a political gesture than a sustainable fix.
Public sentiment: Austerity fatigue is setting in
Among everyday workers, frustration is mounting. Many see this not as reform, but erosion. The anger reflects a deeper issue, economic recovery is being pursued through worker concessions, rather than inclusive growth.
