The Social Impact of Temporary Workers in France

EuWorkers France, the emergence of temporary work has had major social consequences. First, it has accentuated labour market duality: people employed under fixed-term or temporary contracts have more difficulty finding permanent employment and have lower levels of professional training. They also have less access to housing and credit. Moreover, if they lose their job, they often remain in precarious conditions for longer. Second, it has contributed to the emergence of a “gig economy” and a slew of digital platforms that offer workers flexible employment conditions. Finally, it has contributed to increasing the share of non-employee directors who are self-employed (autoentrepreneurs), which has resulted in greater autonomy but can also reduce their security of income.

Addressing the Flexibility Dilemma: The Appeal of Temporary Work in France

While open-ended contracts (Contrat a durée indeterminée or CDI) are still the predominant form of employment in France, the use of short contracts has increased in recent years, especially the contrat de travail temporaire and other types of contract. These contracts can cause problems for employees because of the precarious nature of their work (uncertain renewals, atypical working hours and difficulties reconciling work and family life). The health crisis has had an impact on these workers as well.

A foreign worker wishing to take up salaried employment in france must obtain a work permit. He must first publish a job offer with the public employment service for three weeks. If he doesn’t find a job, he can start the procedure to obtain a long-stay visa serving as a residence permit (temporary “worker” residence permit) with French consular authorities or, if he already has one, he can ask for it to be renewed.