Female farmers’ committee disapproves of the measure

The collaborative spouse status, created in 2006, will be abolished in 2026. Until now, this status has recognized the work of female farmers by granting them a modest retirement pension.

Since 2022, farmers’ spouses have had the option to retain their collaborative spouse status for five years. However, this status will be abolished on January 1, 2026. They will be forced to choose another status, either as a partner or an employee, which is seen as more secure.

This new law is a source of concern for women in this sector. One of them expressed her worries : « It’s both a problem and not a problem at the same time because you need to contribute to your pension. However, in La Réunion, we have small farms, and the issue is that we already need to contribute the same amount for a farmer or a female farmer, and then pay, and that’s what’s concerning ».

Female farmers will be able to benefit from these new statuses, but on the island, farms are smaller than those in mainland France, which could make it difficult to pay two social contributions. The female farmers’ committee has criticized this national reform, as it does not take local specificities into account.

Faced with this change, collaborative women hope to obtain exceptions for overseas departments or at least support during a transition period.