French government delays decision on allowing more workers to work on May 1

The French government has partially backtracked on plans to widen eligible working hours on the May 1 public holiday, following criticism from France’s major unions.

A mixed parliamentary group consisting of seven MPs and seven Senators – a common step in the legislative process to adopt a bill – will not now convene as initially expected to discuss the planned changes, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said. 

Instead, the government will await the outcome of meetings between France’s eight major unions and Labour Minister Jean-Pierre Farandou – taking place today – before any further steps are taken.

Unions have widely rejected the plans, calling it an attack on worker’s rights and an all-but sacred day in the French calendar, sending an open letter to the government denouncing the move.

“Prime Minister, you cannot just brutally reform a text that has been the product of a century of social history and collective achievements,” they said.

The mixed parliamentary group was originally set to meet on Tuesday (April 14) before new parliamentary discussions on the bill.

It was already unlikely that the bill would come into force prior to May 1, 2026, however it now appears certain that rules will remain unchanged this year.

However, continued discussion may see rules changed for the 2027 holiday.

Earlier this month, the government voted down its own bill, fearing it was being bogged down in parliamentary debate with around 100 amendments being tabled.

It instead hoped to kickstart the process, introducing the law through a mixed commission and looking to see it adopted before May 1, 2026.

Unions reject changes

The bill seeks to clarify working rules for the May 1 public holiday, which currently prevent all but essential service workers from working.

Confusion remains for smaller businesses, however, who can open provided they do not have employees come in for the day (for example, if only the shop owner is working).

The government’s law looks to widen May 1 working eligibility to include ‘local food retailers’ such as butchers, bakeries, and greengrocers, alongside certain cultural venues.

The government says employees would need to volunteer to work the day, would receive double pay, and could not be penalised if refusing to work on May 1.

Unions however say any changes would blur the lines on who has the right not to work on May 1, and could see further changes to the law.