Manuel Valls challenged over the plight of poor workers

Five heads of associations, and not insignificant ones, challenged the prime minister on Thursday over the plight of poor workers. In a joint letter, the leaders of Emmaus, the Mouvement national des chômeurs et précaires (National Movement for the Unemployed and Vulnerable), COORACE, FNARS and the ALERTE group demanded that he complete the plan of action against poverty, extend the one against long-term unemployment, and offer a satisfactory wage supplement for the 7.5% of workers who live below the poverty line. They stated they were concerned over decisions to be made by the government over the amalgamation of the in-work benefits PPE and RSA. The new plan called the “Employment Premium”, would be based on RSA, giving rise to fears of a high number of people not claiming benefits. Another fear is, a section of young students and apprentices would be excluded from the new benefit. And this reform – on a straight line budget, according to initial leaks – will be equally insufficient for families.