Associations challenge the reform

Concerns over abuse and the risk of free labor have prompted organizations to mobilize against the broader implementation of the RSA reform.

This reform mandates that recipients engage in 15 hours of activity per week in exchange for their benefits. According to Emmaus, the law may distance beneficiaries from their integration projects instead of helping them find employment. Currently, recipients receive EUR 600 per month.

Beginning in January 2025, all recipients will be required to work at least 15 hours per week to remain eligible for this assistance. Conditional RSA has been piloted for over a year in Saint-Leu and Trois-Bassins, providing an opportunity for those who do not wish to fully commit to a career. However, this flexibility can be both an advantage and a disadvantage.

Associations are raising alarms about potential abuses stemming from this change, calling for the reform to be scrapped. They highlight four major risks associated with these mandated hours, often viewed as disguised free labor: first, individuals may not have the freedom to choose their activities; second, these hours could lead to the termination of existing employees, worsening their situation; third, beneficiaries might refuse stable employment; and lastly, it represents a government effort that seems more focused on fighting the poor rather than addressing poverty itself. They argue that it’s crucial to implement policies that tackle the root causes of poverty rather than just its symptoms.