The Japan Institute for Labour Policy and Training (JILPT) reported on France's review of working time reduction systems as overseas labor information.
The French government is considering reforms to enhance flexibility in working time systems while maintaining the current 35-hour work week as the foundation, to achieve both improved economic competitiveness and better work-life balance for workers. The reform plan includes major content such as diversification of working time management according to industry and company size, expansion of working time adjustment through labor-management agreements, and promotion of telework and flextime system utilization.
Specific review content under consideration includes flexibilization of weekly and monthly time adjustments within annual working hour limits, optimization of working time allocation according to busy and slack seasons, and promotion of digital technology-based working time management system introduction. System design that prioritizes worker health protection and maintenance of work quality is emphasized.
This reform aims to strengthen competitiveness in the global economy and develop work environments that respond to work style diversification, seeking to enhance practical flexibility while maintaining the framework of traditional working time regulations.
The article shows that France is attempting to achieve both worker welfare improvement and economic efficiency through system flexibility while maintaining traditional working time reduction policies, to meet the demands of modern labor markets.