YouA group of sixteen associations and trade unions contacted the State Council to revoke the decision of May 30, 2025, which stipulates sanctions in the event of “ violate » for active solidarity income recipient (RSA) duties, including the famous fifteen-hour integration activity. The collective legal argument is as follows: the planned sanctions are clearly disproportionate to the objectives of the public interest in terms of integration.
The new sanctions regime provides for a deferral of at least 30% and up to 100% of the RSA amount for a period of one to two months, until the job seeker’s allowance fulfills its obligations. If the violation is repeated, the suspension or even withdrawal of part or all of the benefits can be extended up to four months, the sanction can be in the form of removal of the beneficiary.
The Ministry defended “ an alternative to the pure and simple elimination of income or benefits, so that the sanctions encourage remobilization for immediate return to work Therefore, the question is whether the means are commensurate with the ends, whether the sanctions actually encourage remobilization. This is an empirical question.
Studies examining this issue point to counterproductive aspects whose risks outweigh mobilization. It is true that it is now clear that a tightening of the sanctions regime increases the lack of benefits received, thereby leading to extreme poverty. Out of fear of control and overpayments, some recipients canceled their benefits to avoid losing the 30% or having to return the money. This avoidance has been documented, although from an economic perspective it may seem irrational.
However, the absence of this assistance will plunge people into greater poverty… which keeps them out of the job market. Therefore, sanctions have two effects: they mobilize certain people, who are on average closer to the labor market, and accelerate their integration; they demobilize certain people, on average, further away from the labor market, and further distance them from social and professional integration. If in the short term the impact looks positive on employment, then in the medium and long term the impact fades or even becomes negative.
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