France Sees Limited Use of Partial Unemployment After Fuel Price Surge

Overview

• Labour Minister Jean-Pierre Farandou said Tuesday that about thirty firms have asked for partial unemployment, a state-backed furlough used to cut hours without layoffs.
• The government last week rolled out targeted help for farmers and road hauliers, set up cash‑flow loans for companies, and pledged to pay roughly €70 million for these furlough costs.
• Farandou said higher fuel costs have lifted prices and squeezed budgets, yet overall activity has not slumped, while he flagged rising trip cancellations in tourism.
• Energy minister delegate Maud Bregeon reported that about 18% of stations lack at least one fuel, mostly in the TotalEnergies network, with officials blaming precautionary fill‑ups rather than a supply failure.
• France is reviving tools first used during COVID‑19 and early in the Ukraine war, including long‑duration furlough plans that keep workers on payroll while hours drop.