French government targets thieves with benefit cuts

The French government has proposed a new measure to reduce social benefits for individuals involved in theft, by deducting income earned from the resale of stolen goods. This plan was confirmed by Minister of SMEs and Commerce, Serge Papin, during an interview with BFM Business, where he stated the goal is to "severely sanction" those engaged in such activities by cutting their access to social benefits.

Violence prompts policy change

The proposal follows a violent weekend in early October, during which 3,000 businesses were vandalized and looted in French cities. This surge in criminal activity has led the government to take a more stringent approach to those profiting from illegal activities, including the resale of stolen items.

New rules for social benefits

A circular issued by the Minister of Housing, Vincent Jeanbrun, and the Minister of Justice, Gérald Darmanin, outlines that income from the resale of stolen goods can be considered when calculating social rights for those involved. This could lead to reductions in benefits such as RSA (active solidarité income), unemployment support, housing assistance, and family allowances.

Government aims to send a message

Vincent Jeanbrun emphasized in a video on social media that the government wants to send an "extremely clear message" to those living off illegal income, including drug traffickers and looters who resell stolen goods online. He stated that individuals would face "immediate sanctions" on their income and benefits.

Legal basis under scrutiny

During a hearing in the National Assembly, Gérald Darmanin addressed concerns about the legal basis of the measure. He clarified that the circular would not be based on a proposed "looters-payers" bill, but rather on the Social Security Code, which allows for the seizure of family allowances in certain cases.

Legality questions remain

The legality of the measure is in question, as family allowances are typically not subject to seizure under Article L.553-4 of the Social Security Code, except under specific legal conditions. The government plans to use an existing mechanism for certain benefits, like the RSA, which already considers income in its calculation, but a circular cannot alter the law or create new sanctions.