Sophie Binet Denounces Supply-Side Policies and Warns of a Massive Wave of Job Losses

An Alarming Social Situation in France
In an interview with Les Échos published this Wednesday, November 27, CGT Secretary General Sophie Binet sounded the alarm over a “brutal acceleration in the deterioration of the social situation” in France. She highlighted nearly 250 social plans in preparation, affecting between 170,000 and 200,000 jobs, primarily in the industrial sector but also spreading to other industries.

Back in May, Sophie Binet had reported 130 social plans threatening 33,021 direct jobs. By early November, that number had risen to almost 200 plans, jeopardizing 150,000 jobs. Today, the situation has become even more dire, with mass restructurings looming on the horizon.

Crisis-Stricken Sectors and a “Tidal Wave” to Fear
The targeted layoffs are particularly concentrated in automotive, aerospace, and retail sectors, which are already under significant strain. Sophie Binet warns of potentially devastating repercussions: “These plans mainly target large companies, but the numerous subcontractors associated with them risk being swept up in the turmoil as well.”

A Scathing Critique of Government Policies
Sophie Binet has been vocal in her criticism of the economic policies pursued since Emmanuel Macron’s first term, calling them a “political disaster.” She condemns supply-side policies, which she believes have only exacerbated the fragility of French industry.

CGT’s Proposed Emergency Measures
To address the crisis, Sophie Binet has put forward several urgent solutions:

• Reinstating regulated energy prices for industrial sectors, ensuring they reflect production costs and necessary investments, particularly in revitalizing the nuclear industry.
• Implementing stronger protective trade barriers at the European level to enhance the competitiveness of local businesses.
• Strengthening the Florange Law, which mandates that employers must seek a buyer before closing a business, and extending its application to SMEs with 50 or more employees.

According to Sophie Binet, these measures are critical to averting a “violent industrial hemorrhage” and safeguarding the future of jobs in France.