MaPrimeRénov' Suspension Sparks Outcry from Labor and Industry Leaders
Calls for the program to prioritize French-made products coincide with the suspension of energy renovation aid, threatening thousands of jobs.
Sophie Binet, the Secretary General of the French Confederation of Labor (CGT), has called for the MaPrimeRénov' scheme to be maintained solely for equipment produced in France.
This appeal was made during a rally supporting the workers of BDR Thermea, a heating manufacturer in Mertzwiller, Bas-Rhin, where approximately 320 jobs are at risk following an announcement of 370 layoffs by management in May.
Binet emphasized the necessity of MaPrimeRénov' not only for environmental sustainability but also for social reasons.
"There must be conditions for local production and Made in France in MaPrimeRénov'," she stated, advocating for the scheme to fund equipment manufactured domestically.
The French government recently confirmed the suspension of this state aid program for energy renovation of homes, prompting widespread backlash.
Industry professionals estimate that the temporary halt of renovation aid applications could threaten around 10,000 jobs throughout the energy renovation sector, which raises concerns within the building industry, prompting potential protests.
In a joint statement, nearly twenty federations expressed their shock and anxiety, deeming a scheduled meeting at the Ministry of the Economy to discuss the renovation market as pointless and requested a meeting with Prime Minister François Bayrou.
Olivier Salleron, President of the French Federation of Building (FFB), criticized the government's closure of the MaPrimeRénov' application window as "inexcusable and unjustifiable," warning that it could jeopardize 100,000 jobs in the sector.
A statement from 19 professional organizations representing various trades—including heating, energy, electricity, and HVAC—highlighted that without stability and simplification of the scheme, many installers, contractors, distributors, and industrial jobs would be at risk.
The FFB has announced plans to utilize its national congress on June 13 to determine potential actions in response to the suspension, which might include protests and strategic demonstrations.
The Craftsmanship Federation (CAPEB) has similarly begun organizing a response to express strong dissent against the government's decision.
According to Salleron, the energy renovation sector constitutes 30% of FFB's activities, employing approximately 600,000 individuals.
He indicated heightened frustration among small and medium-sized enterprises, contractors, and artisans amid a severe housing crisis.
The suspension is attributed to an overload of new applications and significant levels of fraud, with Economy Minister Eric Lombard stating that there are approximately 16,000 suspicious cases, representing 12% of all applications.
This suspension only affects new applications, with assurance that previously submitted non-fraudulent applications would be processed and paid promptly.
Despite the challenges, industry leaders assert that households are eager to undertake energy renovations, and professionals are prepared, yet they criticize the state for not meeting the social, energy, and ecological challenges.
Concerns have been raised about the potential for households to be unable to proceed with their renovation plans if they lose access to funding through MaPrimeRénov', which could leave them with inefficient homes.
The government's announcement regarding the suspension occurred during a Senate session, where Lombard confirmed the decision while also citing budgetary constraints and service saturation at the National Agency for Housing (ANAH) as contributing factors.
He acknowledged the challenges posed by fraud and that the government aims to regain control over public finances before potentially reinstating the program.
The suspension of MaPrimeRénov', initially revealed by media reports, has mobilized significant opposition from renovation professionals, who expressed concern over the abandonment of households and the potential loss of numerous jobs in the sector.
Industry participants demand a reconsideration of the government's approach to energy renovation aid, emphasizing the necessity of maintaining effective support mechanisms.
This appeal was made during a rally supporting the workers of BDR Thermea, a heating manufacturer in Mertzwiller, Bas-Rhin, where approximately 320 jobs are at risk following an announcement of 370 layoffs by management in May.
Binet emphasized the necessity of MaPrimeRénov' not only for environmental sustainability but also for social reasons.
"There must be conditions for local production and Made in France in MaPrimeRénov'," she stated, advocating for the scheme to fund equipment manufactured domestically.
The French government recently confirmed the suspension of this state aid program for energy renovation of homes, prompting widespread backlash.
Industry professionals estimate that the temporary halt of renovation aid applications could threaten around 10,000 jobs throughout the energy renovation sector, which raises concerns within the building industry, prompting potential protests.
In a joint statement, nearly twenty federations expressed their shock and anxiety, deeming a scheduled meeting at the Ministry of the Economy to discuss the renovation market as pointless and requested a meeting with Prime Minister François Bayrou.
Olivier Salleron, President of the French Federation of Building (FFB), criticized the government's closure of the MaPrimeRénov' application window as "inexcusable and unjustifiable," warning that it could jeopardize 100,000 jobs in the sector.
A statement from 19 professional organizations representing various trades—including heating, energy, electricity, and HVAC—highlighted that without stability and simplification of the scheme, many installers, contractors, distributors, and industrial jobs would be at risk.
The FFB has announced plans to utilize its national congress on June 13 to determine potential actions in response to the suspension, which might include protests and strategic demonstrations.
The Craftsmanship Federation (CAPEB) has similarly begun organizing a response to express strong dissent against the government's decision.
According to Salleron, the energy renovation sector constitutes 30% of FFB's activities, employing approximately 600,000 individuals.
He indicated heightened frustration among small and medium-sized enterprises, contractors, and artisans amid a severe housing crisis.
The suspension is attributed to an overload of new applications and significant levels of fraud, with Economy Minister Eric Lombard stating that there are approximately 16,000 suspicious cases, representing 12% of all applications.
This suspension only affects new applications, with assurance that previously submitted non-fraudulent applications would be processed and paid promptly.
Despite the challenges, industry leaders assert that households are eager to undertake energy renovations, and professionals are prepared, yet they criticize the state for not meeting the social, energy, and ecological challenges.
Concerns have been raised about the potential for households to be unable to proceed with their renovation plans if they lose access to funding through MaPrimeRénov', which could leave them with inefficient homes.
The government's announcement regarding the suspension occurred during a Senate session, where Lombard confirmed the decision while also citing budgetary constraints and service saturation at the National Agency for Housing (ANAH) as contributing factors.
He acknowledged the challenges posed by fraud and that the government aims to regain control over public finances before potentially reinstating the program.
The suspension of MaPrimeRénov', initially revealed by media reports, has mobilized significant opposition from renovation professionals, who expressed concern over the abandonment of households and the potential loss of numerous jobs in the sector.
Industry participants demand a reconsideration of the government's approach to energy renovation aid, emphasizing the necessity of maintaining effective support mechanisms.