On March 25, 2026, the long-awaited unemployment insurance assurance employment law was presented, marking a significant shift in the landscape of employment support. This legislation is a direct result of the agreement reached by social partners on February 25, 2026.
The new law introduces a maximum compensation duration of 15 months for individuals under 55 years of age. For those over 55 years, the compensation period extends to 20.5 months, while residents of overseas territories will benefit from a maximum duration of 30 months.
In a related legal development, the Court of Cassation ruled on March 19, 2026, regarding the legality of working while on sick leave. The court determined that an employee cannot receive daily allowances from health insurance in conjunction with their salary during this period.
This ruling annulled a previous judgment concerning an employee who had worked without medical authorization while on sick leave. As a result, the employee was ordered to pay 2,000 euros to the health insurance fund for legal costs incurred due to this violation.
The implications of these developments are significant for both employees and employers. The upcoming parliamentary examination of the unemployment insurance law is scheduled for April 2 in the Senate and April 16 in the Assembly, where lawmakers will have the opportunity to deliberate on these changes.
Executive sources have indicated that “parliamentarians will be able to vote on this text starting in April,” highlighting the urgency of the matter as it affects many individuals seeking employment support.
The recent court ruling underscores the importance of adhering to regulations during sick leave, as the court stated, “the insured had, without medical authorization, continued their activity as a business manager, which resulted in remuneration during the period of compensated work stoppage.”
Furthermore, the court noted that the employee’s good faith could not be accepted, emphasizing the need for strict compliance with health insurance guidelines.
As the legislative process unfolds, the new unemployment insurance assurance employment law and the court’s ruling will shape the future of employment security and legal accountability in the workplace.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding potential amendments or additional provisions that may arise during parliamentary discussions.