French unions push back as MPs consider opening shops on May 1

A proposal that could change the rules around working on May 1 has sparked heated debate.

May 1 or La fête du Travail is traditionally the only public holiday in France that must be both a paid day off and compulsory for most employees.

All other holidays can see staff asked to work, usually for extra pay or an additional paid day off in lieu (or both).

At present, shops can open on May 1 (Labour Day), but employers are generally not allowed to make staff work. 

Exceptions are for activities that cannot be stopped, such as in hospitals, emergency services or parts of industry. Employers who break the rules risk fines of around €750 per employee.

Law backed by Senators and MP committee

The proposed law, first approved by the Senate in June 2025, would change the Labour Code to allow certain businesses, including bakeries, florists, food shops, cinemas and theatres, to employ staff on May 1, provided workers volunteer and receive higher pay. 

Supporters say the aim is to remove “legal uncertainty” for professions that are unsure whether they are allowed to operate with staff on the holiday.

The bill has already been backed by MPs in committee and could return to parliament for a full debate and vote.

Some shop owners support the change, saying it would give them more freedom on a day when customers still expect service. 

Florists and bakeries in particular say May 1 is often one of their busiest days of the year. 

Government figures have also suggested that clearer rules would better protect both employers and employees.

Trade unions reject measure

Trade unions, however, strongly oppose the proposal, warning it could weaken a long-standing social right.

Laurent Rescanières, secretary general of Force Ouvrière’s federation covering agriculture, food and related services (FGTA FO), said the bill represents “a major social setback”.

"Under the pretext of public needs, it mainly responds to economic and consumer pressure, to the detriment of employees’ health, family life and fairness between businesses," he added.

Mr Rescanières warned that allowing more sectors to work on May 1 risked turning a tightly limited exception into a general rule. 

“The exemptions in the Labour Code must remain restricted to activities that genuinely cannot be interrupted,” he said.

Force Ouvrière also questions the idea that work on May 1 could be truly voluntary. In a context of job insecurity and pressure on wages, Mr Rescanières said, many workers could feel they have little real choice. 

“Refusing to work on May 1 must never become a source of pressure, conflict or discrimination,” he said.

The CGT union has raised similar concerns. 

Its confederal secretary, Thomas Vacheron, said: “In a relationship of subordination, workers don’t really have a choice, especially in small businesses.

“As with Sunday work, employers will push people to work, under threat of not being hired or losing their job.”

Mr Vacheron also challenged claims that the bill would offer generous pay. While the proposal refers to double pay, he pointed out that employees are already paid for May 1 even if they do not work. 

“Being paid ‘double’ for working that day actually means being paid only once for the work done,” he said. “We’re expected to be grateful just to be paid for working.”

The CGT estimates that if the law were adopted, around 1.6 million employees in the sectors concerned could be asked to work as early as May 1, 2026. 

“You can forget your three-day weekend,” Mr Vacheron said.

Both unions also warn that small independent shops could ultimately lose out. Mr Vacheron said small businesses can already open on May 1 without employing staff, and benefit from family help, while the new law would mainly favour large retail chains. 

“Presented as a law for the local baker or florist, it’s really a law for big groups,” he said.

For now, May 1 remains protected for most workers. But unions say the debate goes beyond one day, warning that once an exception is widened it often spreads, and protections and pay bonuses tend to disappear over time.