The deputies of the Social Affairs Commission of the National Assembly, in charge of the draft Social Security budget for 2026, approved on Friday the limitation of the duration of prescribed work stoppages.
This duration will be set by decree, and the Government indicates that it wishes to limit it to 15 days in the event of a first strike, if prescribed by a municipal doctor, and to 30 days in the hospital. Any extension would be limited to two months.
However, doctors can deviate from the maximum limit as long as they “take into account the patient’s situation” and justify this in their prescription.
Currently, there is no maximum duration of sick leave planned, although there are recommendations for certain pathologies, with indicative durations. Insureds are also subject to a maximum limit of 360 days of daily indemnity over three years.
This vote in committee is only an indication and the deputies will have to confirm it next week in the chamber, where they will start from the Government’s initial text.
More regular patient follow-up
To justify this measure, the executive points in particular to the growth in spending on diets.
“Who are we to interfere in the relationship between patient and doctor?” replied the rebellious deputy of La France, Ségolène Amiot. It points to a possible lack of visibility for employers who want to “offer a replacement” with a first stoppage limited to 15 days.
This limitation “is based on the premise that the increase in work stoppages is an increase in fraud and this is false,” added Hendrik Davi (environmental group).
An amendment by Mr. Bazin was also adopted to eliminate the possibility of telemedicine renewing a work stoppage, except in cases of duly justified impossibility of obtaining a traditional consultation.
Maternity leave without company doctor
The deputies also discussed the examination for returning to work after maternity leave, carried out by an occupational doctor. Currently this is mandatory, but the government wants to make it optional.
Bazin considered that this measure would probably be censured by the Constitutional Council, because it had no place in the Social Security budget. It was eliminated in committee, but also in this case the deputies must renew their vote in the chamber, before the text is sent to the Senate.
Source: BFM TV
