Tougher access to benefits proposed
Minister says foreigners should work for five years before claiming benefits and RSA claimants should do public service
FOREIGN people in France should be required to work in France for five years before being claiming any social security benefits, says Europe Minister Laurent Wauquiez.
According to Mr Wauquiez it is “not normal” that the French system allows foreign newcomers “very easy” access to various benefits.
He has also proposed requiring all RSA income support recipients to do at least five hours a week of voluntary work, and has recommended capping all benefits at 75% of the minimum wage. He said this would avoid the current situation where a couple living entirely on benefits has more money coming in than one where one person works.
The voluntary work for RSA claimants could include, for example, helping out at the end of the day in schools, doing cleaning or working on the reception in government services, he said.
Mr Wauquiez, who leads a social security discussion group within the UMP party called la Droite Sociale, said he plans to introduce a proposed law within about a week.
He would like his ideas to be trialed before next year’s presidential elections, so they can be raised during presidential campaign debates.
Photo: Alesclar
