Pension Reform in France Hits Elderly Immigrant Workers Hardest, Advocates Say

In a statement dated April 23, the association denounces this pension reform, a "real social regression" that "particularly and directly affects the underprivileged sections of the population," and largely the immigrants who "work in physically demanding jobs, have fragmented careers, are dependent on the minimum old-age pension (allocation de solidarité personnes âgées: ASPA) previously conditioned by a period of residence in France of more than 6 months."

As of September 1, the period of residence will be more than 9 months per year. Yet, recalls the ATMF, "President Macron declared on April 14, 2023, to the delegation of 9 former combatants received at the Élysée, that he was pleased that the payment of their allowance would no longer be subject to the condition of residence in France. A contradiction and a discriminatory treatment: for some, reparation of an injustice and for others, assignment to residence."

The association denounces this "desire to prevent these elderly people from spending a few months a year in their country of origin" whose objective is none other than to "deprive them of rights." And to conclude: "Our associations denounce this discriminatory policy and demand that these elderly migrant people be able to benefit from the ASPA without a residence requirement, like the former combatants."