French Workers Refuse to Give Up Their Social Perks – A Battle Over Benefits and Daily Survival

French Workers Refuse to Give Up Their Benefits

In a country where the cost of living continues to rise and household budgets are under pressure, French employees are drawing a line in the sand: don’t touch their social benefits. A new survey by the Jean-Jaurès Foundation and Ifop shows that French workers are overwhelmingly attached to the perks that soften daily expenses — from meal vouchers to holiday and gift cheques.

According to the report titled “Touche pas à mes avantages salariés” (“Don’t touch my employee benefits”), 84% of beneficiaries say they are attached to these advantages, and over half admit they would consider leaving their job if their employer removed them.

The Government’s Attempt to Tax Perks

Earlier in 2025, the French government proposed a new 8% employer contribution tax on these “salary supplements” as part of the 2026 Social Security budget. The tax would have generated around €950 million in state revenue but sparked major backlash.

Unions, employer groups, and economists quickly warned that this move would hit both employee purchasing power and business competitiveness, particularly for small firms that rely on such perks to attract staff. After strong public opposition, lawmakers voted against the measure in early November — a clear victory for French workers.

How These Perks Shape Daily Life

The study highlights how vital these benefits are to the daily survival of millions of French employees.

Here’s what could happen if the benefits disappeared:

Holiday cheques: 47% of employees say they wouldn’t take holidays anymore.
Meal vouchers: 55% would eat less at lunchtime, and 49% might skip meals altogether.
Gift vouchers: 52% fear their festive season celebrations would be at risk.

In other words, for many workers, these perks aren’t luxuries — they’re financial lifelines.

A Hidden Inequality

However, the survey also exposes a deep inequality in access. Around 28% of employees receive no benefits at all, mostly those in low-paid, insecure, or part-time jobs — ironically, the people who would benefit most.

“People in precarious jobs, who struggle to make ends meet, are often the ones excluded from these systems,” notes Denis Maillard, an expert for the Jean-Jaurès Foundation. He adds that this creates a “two-speed France,” where some enjoy tax-free support while others face rising living costs without help.

Why France Defends Its “Advantages Salariés”

For decades, France has nurtured a strong system of social and employee benefits designed to enhance quality of life and work-life balance. Perks like tickets-restaurant and chèques-vacances are more than fringe benefits — they’re part of the country’s cultural identity around fairness and solidarity in the workplace.

Their special status also makes them tax-free for employees and employers alike, which is precisely why they’ve become a tempting target for tax reformers in Bercy, the French Finance Ministry.

Still, as inflation weighs heavily on households and the middle class feels squeezed, any attempt to trim these supports quickly turns into a political minefield.

The Bigger Picture: The Cost of Living Crisis

This strong public reaction reveals a broader sentiment in France: workers are feeling the pinch. Inflation in food, housing, and energy has eaten away at real wages over recent years. For many, these perks now serve as a buffer against financial stress, making the debate less about fiscal reform and more about economic dignity.

Conclusion: A Symbol of Resistance

The refusal to give up social benefits is more than a fight over vouchers — it symbolizes how France’s social model is deeply rooted in everyday life. As the country balances between economic modernisation and social protection, this episode highlights a national truth: in France, benefits are not just perks — they are part of the social contract.