Residence permits for undocumented workers in "shortage" sectors

The immigration law 2023 in Francepresented to the Council of Ministers on February 1, provides for the regulation of the situation of undocumented workers in "shortage jobs". However, it is not clear exactly what this entails.

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To clarify the situation, a list has been published in the Journal Officiel on April 1, 2021, detailing the professions concerned, region by region. This list was created by the government in 2008, and has only been updated once, in 2021. However, consultations will be opened with the social partners to revise the list at the beginning.

If you look at the professions on this list, you'll see that they're extremely varied: janitors, ambulance drivers, body repairers, carpenters, butchers, lorry drivers, mechanics, woodworkers, roofers, nurses, farmers, nurses' aids, bricklayers, engineers, surveyors, technicians, and many more.

An annual survey by Pôle Emploi on "manpower needs" shows that home help and household help are the most sought-after professions, with 85 % of employers struggling to recruit them. The nursing profession comes a close second with 81%, followed by public transport drivers (80%), plumbers and heating engineers (75%), and electricians (73%).

The bill therefore aims to enable undocumented workers in these professions to obtain a one-year residence permit. This will reverse the balance of power with certain employers who can take advantage of their employees' illegal status.

However, the measure will be experimental until December 31, 2026, in order to analyze its relevance. The immigration bill aims to improve the integration and regularization of undocumented workers in France's high-voltage sectors, although the list of occupations concerned is still uncertain and will have to be reviewed in 2023.

A controversial bill to facilitate the integration of immigrant workers in France

In addition to regularizing the status of undocumented workers, this bill also aims to step up the fight against all forms of illegal employment and social security fraud, and to better guarantee the rights of legal immigrant employees. It aims to promote the integration of immigrant workers, while protecting the French labor market.

However, this measure is already generating a great deal of controversy. Some consider that it could create a situation of inequality, giving an advantage to undocumented workers over French and European workers. Others think it could encourage illegal immigration and fraud to obtain a residence permit.

We'll have to keep a close eye on reactions to this bill to determine whether it is realistic and viable. Ultimately, this is just the first step in a long and complex process aimed at finding sustainable and equitable solutions for immigrant workers in France.