The cost of work stoppages, such as sick leave or temporary unemployment, is rising by nearly 1 billion euros each year, according to David Amiel, the Minister of Public Accounts. Amiel outlined this issue while presenting the state and social security budgets to the press. He warned that this rising cost is not sustainable and announced plans to save more than 2 billion euros related to work stoppages by 2027. Of this amount, 1 billion euros will be achieved through negotiations with labor and employer groups, while the remaining savings will come from increasing taxes and social contributions on work stoppages, bringing them in line with how salaries are taxed. Jean-Pierre Farandou, the Minister of Labor, will begin discussions with social partners—including unions and employer organizations—in the coming days. The goal is to submit a draft proposal by the end of the year. These changes are expected to take effect in 2027 and are intended to address both the financial strain on the system and its impact on businesses. Farandou's office emphasized that the discussions will focus on "prevention, accountability, and a structural reform," aiming to propose a significant reform to social partners. The current system of work stoppages is described as being at its limit, both in terms of cost and its effect on companies. Farandou suggested looking at how other European countries handle similar issues, where short-term work stoppages are less protected. This could encourage people to take fewer short-term work stoppages and instead be better protected for longer-term situations. The idea is to create a more sustainable system that balances the needs of workers and employers. The proposed reforms aim to ensure the long-term viability of the work stoppage system while reducing its financial burden on the state and businesses. By aligning the taxation of work stoppages with that of salaries, the government hopes to create a fairer and more sustainable approach. These discussions are expected to be complex, given the need to balance the interests of various stakeholders and ensure the system remains both effective and equitable.