French Lawmaker Challenges Government on Health Coverage for Retired Immigrant Workers

The terms chibanis and chibanias refer in France to the former immigrant workers and workers of the "Thirty Glorious Years", but also to the former soldiers of the French army, of Maghreb, sub-Saharan and Asian origin. These people mainly live in their country of origin.

The French health insurance only covers the care incurred by the latter in France on condition of providing proof of having contributed for fifteen years under the national pension scheme, as well as documents that many do not hold. This does not make the task of those concerned any easier, since the administration in charge of the applications (CNAREFE) systematically requires the production of a residence document, but, it is said, also refuses documents attesting to the regularity of the stay.

To recall, in 2018, the Observatory for the Right to Health of Foreigners (ODSE) had called on the former minister Agnès Buzyn and the CNAM for reparation of these injustices, without result. Yet these people have largely contributed to the national effort and in particular to the reconstruction of the country after the Second World War.

So Deputy Danièle Obono wants to know whether the lock of the condition of fifteen years of contributions under the French pension scheme, as well as the condition of stable and regular residence on French territory, will be lifted. If so, by what date; if not, for what reasons, can be read in the text presented to the Assembly by the elected representative.