Paris pushes through law FORCING construction workers to speak French while on the job
A CONTROVERSIAL law has been pushed through in Paris forcing construction workers on state-funded projects to speak French.
Mrs Pécresse passed the legislation in an effort to stop companies from hiring low-paid EU workers
Valérie Pécresse, the conservative head of the wider Paris region, passed the legislation in an effort to stop companies from hiring low-paid EU workers.
The ‘Small Business Act’ was introduced last week to help funnel more local public contracts to small French businesses.
The new act includes the Molière clause, which says firms hired to work on government-funded building projects must use French as their working language.
It will make it harder for construction companies to hire foreign workers from Eastern Europe
These companies need to up their game and make sure that the people who are hired to work on publicly-funded building projects speak French
The new rule will also make it harder for construction companies to hire foreign workers from eastern Europe, who – for the most part – are paid less than locals and do not speak French.
Mrs Pécresse added that the Molière clause – named after the 17th century French playwright – would help improve “construction site safety”.
Jérôme Chartier, the vice president of the Paris region, added that the clause was “necessary” and that from now on, foreign companies would “no longer be able to hire low-paid, non-French speaking workers”.
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The 'Small Business Act' was introduced last week
He said: “These companies need to up their game and make sure that the people who are hired to work on publicly-funded building projects speak French.”
Government officials have long complained about EU rules on public procurement which prevent member states from discriminating against EU companies uniquely on the grounds of their nationality, and claim that foreign workers often “undercut” locals.
Members of the French Democratic Movement (MoDem), however, claim that the “abusive and nationalist” Molière clause “discriminates” against newly arrived foreigners and immigrants who are desperately trying to “integrate” into French society.
Government officials have long complained about EU rules on public procurement
A MoDem spokesperson said: “Legal immigrants and refugees learn French at work. If they cannot find work, they will never learn French and will never become full-fledged members of society.”
Mr Pécresse has, however, the full support of members of Marine Le Pen's right-wing Front National (FN) party.
Other French regions, including Normandy, Hauts-de-France and Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, have also introduced rules requiring companies to use French on public building sites.