Extending Meal Vouchers for Sundays and Public Holidays in France
Restaurant tickets will prove to be excellent for Sunday's visit.
Wanting a bite on a day off? The National Union of Food and Quick Service Restaurants (SNARR) is pushing for it. But not everyone's eating up the idea.
Suppose you've ever tried to pay for your groceries on Sunday with meal vouchers. Well, you're among the 5.4 million French individuals who have them, but you've been denied. That's because meal vouchers can only be used during weekdays—Monday through Saturday. But SNARR wants to change that.
The thought's been around for a while, but the government is showing a bit more tolerance now. This might be due to a recent survey by Odoxa which found that 67% of respondents support this policy change! And it's not just the voucher users. A whopping 85% of them are all for extending meal voucher use.
"Buying power," says Press Citron, "is the top reason" for this overwhelming support, with nearly half of the surveyed believing that this reform would help them afford basic necessities like butter and bread. A third thinks it would let them dine out more frequently. Yet, the Ministry of the Economy only says it's "open" to the idea. Restaurant owners, though, have mixed feelings. Weekends bring extra customers, but they don't fancy having to pay commissions on meal vouchers. Maybe allowing them the flexibility to accept or reject meal vouchers on Sundays and holidays would be a compromise everyone could stomach.
But remember, meal vouchers have rules. These "tickets restaurants" are a tax-advantaged benefit, allowing employees to purchase meals at work-friendly eateries during weekdays. Each voucher, subject to a cap, is funded 50% to 60% by the employer. When it comes to Sundays and public holidays, convenience meets tradition, and the verdict remains uncertain.
Enrichment Insights:
Meal Vouchers in France:- Known as "tickets restaurants," meal vouchers are a popular tax-advantaged benefit that allows employees to purchase meals at work-friendly eateries during weekdays, typically for lunch.- The employer's contribution is subject to a limit, and they must contribute 50% to 60% of the voucher value, with only one voucher issued per employee per lunch break within their daily working schedule.
Arguments for Extending Meal Voucher Use:- Increased convenience for employees working on weekends- Economic boost for local businesses like restaurants during slower periods- Improved employee morale and job satisfaction by showing appreciation for weekend work
Arguments Against Extending Meal Voucher Use:- Additional administrative burden for employers due to complexity- Limited restaurant availability on Sundays and public holidays- Potential disruption of France's traditional work-life balance by encouraging more weekend work
Current Context:- Recent strikes over mandatory Sunday and public holiday shifts for some workers, like those at Lidl supermarkets, suggest that any changes to meal voucher policies should be carefully considered in light of broader labor issues.
- Many individuals who use meal vouchers, often fondly referred to as "tickets restaurants," find it difficult to use them for food-and-drink purchases on Sundays and public holidays, limiting their convenience and personal-finance management.
- Shopping for food-and-drink essentials becomes more challenging for consumers on weekends when meal vouchers cannot be used, and a change in policy allowing their use could offer increased buying power, resulting in being able to afford necessities like butter and bread.
- The prospect of extending meal voucher use is garnering widespread support, with 67% of people polled in a recent survey and 85% of current voucher users agreeing that it would be beneficial for their lifestyle and personal-finance situation, partially due to improved buying power.
