Was the government slow to spot the simmering conflict in French refineries? Or has he simply followed Emmanuel Macron’s doctrine to the letter since 2017, consisting in leaving the hand to social dialogue in companies, while keeping a distance? “Would you find it normal, in a democracy like French democracy, to have the Minister of the Economy take part in wage negotiations between a private company and the unions? protested the Minister of the Economy, Bruno Le Maire, when he was questioned on this point Monday, October 17, on RMC. But that is not our role at all! »
In this regard, the Head of State assumes that salary issues do not come under the State. This is the purpose of the Macron ordinances of 2017, which facilitate the adoption of collective agreements in companies without a union delegate or staff representative. This conviction was also very present in his 2022 campaign program. When the other candidates promised “a great social conference on wages” against a background of growing inflation, or even outright increases of 10% for Valérie Pécresse or Marine Le Pen, he instead offered him the tripling of the Macron bonus (a tax-free bonus to support household purchasing power, capped at 6,000 euros) and profit-sharing schemes in companies paying dividends.
“Emmanuel Macron has two intangible convictions: he is pro-European and he is pro-business, summarizes Hakim El Karoui, essayist and consultant. His reading grid is to put himself in the shoes of business leaders. However, for the latter, it is easier to pay bonuses than to increase wages, which come to trim the margin. »
Contradictory temptation
Bonuses, profit-sharing, participation… If companies have seized on these instruments favored by the tenant of the Elysée, their effect on purchasing power is still difficult to measure. Especially in the face of inflation that lasts and should reach 4.2% in 2023, according to the executive – the effectiveness of these devices, which are temporary in nature, is questioned. “In addition to salary increases, bonuses and participation are suitable tools when there are shocks that we do not know if they are permanent or temporary, observes economist Philippe Martin, dean of the School of Public Affairs at Sciences Po. If inflation lasts, they are not enough. »
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