At their annual meeting – with the theme of competitiveness and diversity – the French HRD expressed the wish to convert three of the six Christian holidays to conventional holidays.
This debate is an interesting opportunity to address a deeper question: could not France, a secular country where Christianity is no longer dominant, adapt to the different religious backgrounds of its employees?
Indeed, Jews and Muslims – to name but a few – currently benefit from Christian holidays but are unable to celebrate, at home with their family, their traditional holidays such as Hanukkah, Yom Kippur, Ramadan or Hegira.
The proposal to Mr. Sapin, Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Dialogue, concerns only Ascension, Pentecost and August 15; all employees would continue to enjoy Christmas, Easter and All Saints Day, given their societal value.
The proposal would still go through a real ordeal before being accepted by the unions and professional organizations…