French unions denounce Olympics volunteering as “disguised employment”
No pay, no Olympics
WORLD 23 April 2024 - 17:11
Brussels Signal has published an article saying French labor unions have expressed discontent over the 45,000 volunteer workers scheduled for the Paris Olympics, labeling it as "disguised employment”. Caliber.Az reprints the article.
French labour unions slammed the use of 45,000 volunteers scheduled to work at the upcoming Paris Summer Olympics, labelling it “disguised employment”.
The schedule indicates volunteers will be engaged for eight to 10 hours per day, six days a week over a 15-day period.
French labour unions argued that the lack of clarity within employment laws allowed for what it said was staff exploitation.
According to union representatives, the absence of clear distinctions in the legislation between salaried work, self-employment and volunteering created ambiguity, thus enabling what they described as “disguised employment”.
“The distinction between salaried work, self-employment and voluntary work does not appear in the law. It is a jurisprudential construction,” said the French Union organisation.
The unions highlighted the lack of financial compensation and legal subordination – for instance staff managers – as essential criteria in distinguishing volunteer work from paid-for employment.
They criticised the Olympic and Paralympic Volunteering Charter for imposing obligations on volunteers akin to those of employees, including the power to revoke accreditation cards for non-compliance with its rules.
“This is similar to the employer’s power to sanction,” claimed the French Union.
Unions are not the only parties concerned by the announced working conditions, with some politicians and volunteers also lamenting the current situation.
“We’re not far from paid employment,” one individual set to take part in such volunteer work said.
“Five days on, two days off, it looks like a schedule for a job.”
This perceived imbalance between volunteer expectations and employer-like control has prompted concerns from the unions regarding potential exploitation and the establishment of a precedent for free labour.
They cautioned that such practices could pave the way for broader exploitation beyond the scope of the Olympics.
“A precedent will be established in the other direction: the possibility of mass recourse to free labour when the criteria for salaried employment were met,” they warned in a joint statement.
They further contended: “This precedent will be used and exploited by structures pursuing much more questionable goals than the JOP [the Paris Olympics].”
For hard-left politician Danielle Simonnet of La France Insoumise, the situation marked the “largest disguised wage labour campaign” France had ever seen.
“All work merits pay. No pay, no Olympics,” she concluded.
Caliber.Az
1
|
Phantom arms deal: How false claims aim to derail Baku-Tehran diplomacy Azerbaijan embraces "forewarned is forearmed" principle
25 July 2024 - 15:34
|
2
|
Could France’s anti-NATO rhetoric trigger domestic turmoil? Leftist Mélenchon's stance sparks historical echoes
24 July 2024 - 10:24
|
3
|
Azerbaijan: The new powerhouse of aluminium production amid global market strain "Green" era's requirement
25 July 2024 - 17:05
|
4
|
Brussels' bait and Yerevan's rush to swallow it The visa-free temptation
24 July 2024 - 09:00
|
5
|
West-backed Armenia likely to spark conflict with Azerbaijan rather than seek peace Caliber.Az reveals expert prognoses
25 July 2024 - 11:10
|
Japan addressing increasing incidents of customer harassment
Service culture under strain27 July 2024 - 03:05
Swiss spots struggle with social media-driven visitor impact
Tourism vs. nature27 July 2024 - 01:03
German chancellor tackles EU expansion, internal reform challenges
Path forward26 July 2024 - 23:03
Italian newspaper explores Azerbaijan's ancient Albanian churches
26 July 2024 - 21:08
Azerbaijani prosecutor general declares ties with Türkiye as strategic partnership
PHOTO26 July 2024 - 20:55
Azerbaijan, Italy strengthening military relations
PHOTO26 July 2024 - 20:42
China demands withdrawal of US nuclear weapons from Europe
26 July 2024 - 20:29
Pentagon concedes to spreading anti-Sinovac propaganda in Philippines
26 July 2024 - 20:16
COP29 presidency team hosts events to tackle key climate agenda issues
26 July 2024 - 20:03
Israel targets Türkiye’s TRT Haber team covering Al-Aqsa mosque incident
26 July 2024 - 19:51
COP20 president: Azerbaijan should lead with ambition at COP29
26 July 2024 - 19:38
Turkish defence minister, Azerbaijani ambassador discuss strengthening military ties
26 July 2024 - 19:25
FBI seeking to interview Trump as part of assassination attempt investigation
26 July 2024 - 19:12
US presidential candidate cites potential path to victory with Biden out of race
26 July 2024 - 18:58
Turkish MP confirms plans for official Azerbaijani school in Istanbul
26 July 2024 - 18:44
US vice president’s call for peace in Gaza sparks controversy with Israel
26 July 2024 - 18:30
FM: Italy to appoint ambassador to Syria after 10 years
26 July 2024 - 18:17
Head of Georgian Parliament blames opposition for compromising national safety
Aid to Ukraine at Georgia’s expense26 July 2024 - 18:03
South Caucasus on edge: West fuels Armenia's war drums
Yerevan clings to deceitful rhetoric26 July 2024 - 18:02
Media: Iran arms Hezbollah with advanced weapons
26 July 2024 - 17:49
Bolsonaro intends to run for Brazilian presidency in 2026, citing confidence in winning
26 July 2024 - 17:36
Armenian PM visits modernised Margara checkpoint on Turkish border
VIDEO26 July 2024 - 17:22
Boeing considers to convert its top fighter into an electronic warfare jet
Caliber.Az on YouTube26 July 2024 - 17:17
Belarus ready to expand cooperation with North Korea
26 July 2024 - 17:09
EU appoints new special representative for South Caucasus
26 July 2024 - 17:01
Azerbaijani-Chinese partnership defies "first among equals" attitudes
Rising above geopolitical cynicism26 July 2024 - 16:55
Armenia's militarization: A "peace agenda" with an armed approach
Yerevan must revisit recent historical lessons26 July 2024 - 16:42
Azerbaijan approves cooperation pacts with Türkiye, Kazakhstan
26 July 2024 - 16:33
Media: US informs Iran of readiness to return to nuclear deal
26 July 2024 - 16:29
Turkish forces take down PKK terrorists in coordinated Iraq and Syria raids
VIDEO26 July 2024 - 16:16
Israeli air strikes hit Hezbollah outposts in response to rocket fire
26 July 2024 - 16:03
Kremlin spox: EU ridicules Orban over Moscow visit
26 July 2024 - 15:51
Armenian parliamentary delegation visits Georgia to strengthen bilateral ties
26 July 2024 - 15:38
Washington talks peace while arming Yerevan
26 July 2024 - 15:38
Travellers from 13 nations explore rebuilding of Karabakh, East Zangazur
PHOTO26 July 2024 - 15:25
European Commission transfers €1.5 billion from frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine's defence
26 July 2024 - 15:25
Trump says US to destroy Iran in case of his assassination
26 July 2024 - 15:12
Kremlin declares dialogue with West futile amid hostility toward Russia
26 July 2024 - 14:59
Somalia, Azerbaijan share common positions on many international forums
Minister’s statement26 July 2024 - 14:46
Azerbaijan promoting tourism potential in India
PHOTO26 July 2024 - 14:33