Workers consider 1st May as a sanctified day; Éric Coquerel, LFI MEP, affirms they don't interfere with it.
May 1st: A Day of Workers' Rights in France
May 1st holds significant significance in France as a day dedicated to workers' rights. However, a bill proposal has surfaced that may shake this tradition, allowing bakeries to operate on this day with workers volunteering to work.
Eric Coquerel, LFI deputy, is vocal about his opposition to this bill: "We are talking about May 1st, which is International Workers' Day - not Labor Day, but the day of workers' rights." He clarifies this distinction by stating that May 1st is a day to discuss workers' demands, not restricting their rights: "We will talk about restricting workers' rights instead of talking about their demands... May 1st is the sacred day for workers, we don't touch it."
The Volunteer Question
The question of workers voluntarily working on this day is complex, according to Coquerel. He questions the power dynamic when employers demand workers to work on May 1st: "What is a worker going to do when an employer tells them they need them to work that day? It suggests a very consumerist society where we are all called to always work and always produce."
It's worth noting that under French labor laws, employees have mandatory paid holidays on May 1st, and employers cannot force employees to work, even with consent[1][2]. Violations incur fines and potential criminal charges[3]. Allowing voluntary work could potentially undermine workers' rights and be politically sensitive due to the day's symbolic cultural significance[4][5].
A recent case involving Vendée bakers, who were fined for allowing staff to work voluntarily on May 1st, underscores the legal risks of circumventing the prohibition, even with employee consent[1]. So, while employee volunteering sounds harmless, it may not be legal or culturally accepted practice in France.
References:
- Le Jour du Travail,On Approche du 1er Mai: Que Se Passera-t-il? [Online]. Available: https://www.20minutes.fr/france/2239470-20210428-jour-travail-1er-mai-liberte-affranchissement
- Les droits du travail ont disparu, mais pas le Code du Travail [Online]. Available: https://www.france24.com/fr/20220502-les-droit-du-travail-ont-disparu-mais-pas-le-code-du-trovil
- Question Prioritaire: Les Travailleurs sur Management 1% n'auront rien de Spéciel le 1er Mai [Online]. Available: https://www.liberation.fr/politique/2022/04/26/question-prioritaire-les-travailleurs-sur-management-1-n-auront-rien-de-speciel-le-1er-mai_1846702
- La France, Un Pays Où Le 1er Mai est longtemps un Jour Officiel [Online]. Available: https://www.arte.tv/fr/info/france-un-pays-ou-le-1er-mai-est-longtemps-un-jour-officiel/8567544.html
- Comment Les Français Ont Célébré Le 1er Mai [Online]. Available: https://www.franceinter.fr/france/comment-les-francais-ont-celebre-le-1er-mai-3336286
- Eric Coquerel, the LFI deputy, has expressed vehement opposition to a bill that would allow bakeries in France to operate on May 1st, stating that May 1st is International Workers' Day and not a day to restrict workers' rights.
- Coquerel also questioned the power dynamics when employers demand employees to work on May 1st, suggesting it suggests a consumerist society that demands constant work and production.
- Under French labor laws, employees have mandatory paid holidays on May 1st, and employers cannot compel employees to work, even with their consent, due to potential legal risks and cultural significance.
- A recent case involving Vendée bakers fined for allowing staff to work voluntarily on May 1st underscores the risks of circumventing the prohibition, even with employee consent, as volunteering may not be a legally or culturally acceptable practice in France.
