Key Takeaways

·      France has tightened the employment rules for undocumented migrants.

·      French employers who hire undocumented migrants now face a fine.

·      France’s left-wing parties and some organisations have condemned the tightening of the measure.

France has introduced new stricter employment rules for undocumented migrants who are in the country in an attempt to strengthen immigration control and fight illegal work.

As the Minister of Interior of France, Gerald Darmanin, explained, tightened conditions now apply for the issuance of residence permits, and a fine has been introduced for companies that hire foreigners who are not authorised to work in the country.

According to the decree, employers in France who hire undocumented migrants who do not have a permit to take up employment will now be subject to sanctions that comes in the form of a fine.

The fine replaces the special and fixed contributions that have been applied so far, and its aim is to discourage employers from hiring undocumented migrant workers.

In line with the new law, employers in France must check whether the foreign workers hold a valid residence permit that gives them the right to work in the country, Observ Algerie explains.

Moreover, if an irregular migrant is already employed, the employer is required to terminate the contract, or the employee will immediately face a fine.

French Left-Wing Parties & Migrant Organisations Criticised the Measure

While the tightening of the rules for the employment of undocumented migrants has been seen as necessary by the government, the French left-wing pirates and some organisations that support the rights of migrants have criticised the new rules.

They said that the new measures will harden the living conditions of undocumented migrants and, at the same time, will make it more difficult for them to integrate into French society.

On the other hand, the French government highlighted that the aim of the measure is only to put an end to illegal work and to strengthen the security of the country.

These Occupations Have the Highest Number of Foreign Workers in France

Similar to a number of other European Union member states, France is also dealing with labour shortages in several sectors, pushing the country to hire foreign workers.

Data from Dares show that in 2021, foreign workers represented more than ten per cent of the workforce in France, and this number has undoubtedly increased in the past year.

According to data, 38.8 per cent of foreigners were working as household workers in France in 2021.

Moreover, foreigners also worked as guardians ansd security guards. They were also employed in the construction industry and in the hotel and catering industry, among others.