The view of public opinion on job seekers continues to harden, since one in two French people consider that they have a responsibility in their situation, according to a Unédic barometer published this Wednesday.
According to this study carried out by Elabe, unemployment is always, in the eyes of the French, above all caused by changes in society. But at 59%, this factor drops 6 points compared to the last edition of the barometer carried out in September 2021.
And the responsibility given to the unemployed themselves increases considerably (50%, +7), according to the study. It exceeds that of companies (45%, -2).
At the same time, the perception of job seekers as “victims” of a situation suffered rather than chosen remains the majority (72%) but has dropped three points.
The French believe that unemployment affects 15% of the active population
At the same time, in a context of strong contracting tensions, the “suspicion” of job seekers is growing. The majority of respondents (60%) believe that if they encounter difficulties it is because they do not compromise when looking for a job and do not want to risk losing their unemployment benefit (57%, +2).
Almost one in two people (49%) say that most of the unemployed are not really looking for work.
Although a new unemployment insurance reform will come into force in February, with a 25% reduction in the duration of compensation for new affiliates, this vision is based on a misunderstanding of the realities of unemployment.
Hardening felt by the unemployed
The unemployment rate is remarkably estimated at an average of 15%, the study notes, when in reality it is twice as low. And for 56% of the French, “an unemployed person is necessarily someone who receives a subsidy, while unemployment insurance compensates 2.5 million beneficiaries, that is, a fraction of all 6.5 million claimants of employment in all categories”, indicates the study.
Job seekers feel this hardening of opinion. When asked to spontaneously describe what, according to them, the French think of the unemployed, more than half (52%, +7) cite a pejorative term (lazy, speculator, assisted, swindler, etc.). This item has increased 13 points since the first part of the barometer in March 2020.
Survey conducted online from August 30 to September 26 with a representative sample of 4,525 people aged 15 and over, using the quota method (3,012 interviews with the general public and 1,513 interviews with job seekers).
Source: BFM TV
