Removal of a Public Holiday: Minister of Labor Puts an End to Speculation

Astrid Panosyan-Bouvet confirms that the measure is definitively ruled out and calls for a thorough examination of proposed changes to working hours.

On Tuesday morning, during an appearance on TF1, Minister of Labor Astrid Panosyan-Bouvet put an end to speculation regarding the removal of a public holiday, stating that the idea is now “definitively ruled out.”

This proposal, which resurfaced in the fall of 2024 during discussions on the 2025 budget under the Barnier government, aimed to eliminate an additional public holiday, alongside the Pentecost Monday, which has been designated a “day of solidarity” since 2004. Although initially supported by some government members, the idea was quickly questioned by Michel Barnier, who expressed being “very reserved” about a measure he considered “complex to implement.”

Astrid Panosyan-Bouvet confirmed the abandonment of this project, emphasizing that the removal of an additional public holiday was “not the best solution” after analyzing various options. According to the minister, lessons learned from the implementation of the 35-hour workweek and the uniform application of rules show that more tailored solutions should be considered.

Regarding the recent government proposal to extend working hours by 7 hours “for free,” the minister stated that such a measure should be “carefully examined” during the parliamentary debate.