2023-11-12 07:00:55
In a recent interview with Les Echos, Patrick Martin, the president of Medef, reviewed the government’s recent announcements for the 2024 budget which concern, even worry, members of the business leaders’ union.
The government breaking with its supply-side policy?
He fears a break with a policy that has until now been rather favorable to businesses and which, according to the announcements of the President of the Republic or his ministers, wanted to continue to make the private sector the spearhead of economic recovery. French.
“There are clear questions from our members about the realization of what the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance promised us, namely the continuation of the supply-side policy. We are quite concerned about several signals that contradict this commitment”summarizes the president of Medef.
Transport and mobility at the heart of the Medef discontent
Patrick Martin particularly emphasizes his concern about the new tax on transport infrastructure managers announced by the government. The tax, which particularly targets the air sector and highways, has sparked vehement criticism from members of Medef, for which Patrick Martin is the spokesperson.. He evokes tensions within the business world, disoriented by announcements perceived as contradictory.
Another source of concern for French bosses: the announcement of the increase in the mobility payment of Ile-de-France companies to finance public transport. This measure, proposed by the government to avoid an explosion in prices for Ile-de-France users, will entail an additional cost of 400 million euros per year for the companies concerned. Patrick Martin emphasizes that such government decisions “create tensions in our ranks”. Companies, already facing economic challenges, are expressing their dissatisfaction with additional charges that could compromise their competitiveness.
Agirc-Arrco, “adjustment variable” for pension financing?
Patrick Martin also addresses the question of the government’s desire to recover funds from Agirc-Arrco and Unédic, compulsory supplementary pensions, to finance the new expenses of pension reform, in particular the revaluation of small pensions.
These funds are largely in surplus, having in particular benefited from employees continuing to work voluntarily beyond the legal age to obtain a higher pension. Their war chest amounts to 58 billion euros. But the president of Medef believes that he “there is no question of Agirc-Arrco becoming an adjustment variable for schemes managed by the State”. According to Patrick Martin, Medef proves, through this position, its attachment to joint management.
The growing tensions between the government and Medef underline the challenges inherent in the development of the 2024 budget. Discussions must continue, and the challenge seems to be to find a balance between the financial needs of the government and the legitimate concerns of the world of business, concerned with ensuring sustainable economic growth.
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