Overview

• 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.