Although salaried workers in France enjoy more labour protection and perks than their counterparts in many other advanced countries, the French workplace has not been immune to the erosion of the post-war labor model that granted them a degree of stability for decades. As a result, the use of temporary contracts (Contrat d’emploi temporaire or CDT) and short-term jobs has increased significantly over recent years. In fact, they now account for the majority of new hires.

EuWorkers growth of these sectors is largely driven by large employment agencies that have constructed a distinctive market for temporary work in spite of broad cultural, political and trade union opposition. This article offers a historical account of the contested development of these agencies and their regulatory environment under France’s particular politico-institutional conditions. It draws on a variegated capitalism conceptual framework to show how large agency employers have been able to grow their businesses in the face of strong opposition and fragmented resistance.

Legal Protections for Temporary Workers in France: Know Your Rights

The majority of workers on short contracts endure precarious working conditions. They often have trouble reconciling their personal and professional lives due to the lack of security in their jobs, uncertain renewals, and fluctuating working hours. Some of these workers choose to take on such jobs for periods of transition, study or retraining. Others are unable to find other types of jobs. In addition, the health crisis (probably referring to the Covid-19 pandemic) has had an important impact on these workers.