French MP Calls for Ban on 'Travail au Noir' Due to Racial Connotations

Frédéric Maillot argues for the term 'travail dissimulé' to replace 'travail au noir' in legislative discourse, citing negative racial implications.

Frédéric Maillot, a deputy from the Gauche Démocrate et Républicaine, has proposed removing the term 'travail au noir' from official use, suggesting it carries a negative racial connotation.
Maillot suggests the term 'travail dissimulé' as a neutral alternative during discussions on the 2025 finance bill in the French National Assembly.
The expression 'travail au noir' historically refers to illegal work done at night, dating back to the Middle Ages.
Maillot's argument points out the frequent use of the word 'noir' in negative expressions, such as 'liste noire' and 'broyer du noir'.
The proposal sparked debate in the Assembly, highlighting tensions over language and its implications in legislative settings.