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4mo ago

French Tribunal Acquits Bakers Fined for May 1 Employee Work

The ruling has prompted government pledges to amend labor laws, potentially allowing voluntary work in bakeries on the public holiday.

Des boulangers vendéens qui avaient ouvert un 1er mai ont été relaxés, vendredi 25 avril 2025.
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Overview

  • Five Vendée bakers were acquitted on April 25, 2025, after being fined for employing staff on May 1, 2024, a day designated as a mandatory public holiday in France.
  • The French Labor Code prohibits most businesses, including bakeries, from employing staff on May 1, with fines of €750 per employee and €1,500 for minors.
  • Labor Minister Catherine Vautrin has pledged to support parliamentary efforts to amend the law, enabling voluntary employee work in bakeries on May 1.
  • Senator Annick Billon and Deputy Véronique Besse have formally petitioned the Labor Ministry to address legal ambiguities affecting bakeries and other trades like florists.
  • The case has reignited debates about balancing labor rights with business continuity, with potential implications for other sectors seeking May 1 exemptions.