Second line professions: "in terms of wages, the account is not there"

Second line professions: "in terms of wages, the account is not there"

The pandemic crisis has shone the spotlight on so-called "second line" jobs, those jobs characterized by high exposure to the virus because of their absolute necessity to ensure the continuity of the country's economic and social life, and yet low quality, both in terms of pay and working conditions.

While front-line workers have been increased through the Ségur de la Santé, these employees are still awaiting recognition of their essential contribution to the functioning of society. This is why, in particular, the CFDT Services calls for a “march of essential workers” on Thursday February 3 in Paris.

Following the file closely, at the end of 2020 the Minister of Labor Elisabeth Borne had commissioned the economist Christine Ehrel and the director of human resources of RTE Sophie Moreau-Follenfant, a report aimed at "supporting the social partners in the process recognition of second-line workers", which was delivered at the end of December 2021.

Second line occupations:

According to the researcher, although the worst of the crisis is now behind us, it has structurally and lastingly changed work and its perception, both by society and by politicians. “The fact that the professions allow telework or not will now contribute to their attractiveness”, she notes for example. She presents to Alternatives Economiques the avenues she proposes so that these second-line professions are not forgotten by the world of tomorrow.

What scope does this concept of “second line workers” cover?

Christine Ehrel: The population that we have distinguished meets two criteria: Second-line workers are both those who, in the private sector, were obliged to be present on site during the first confinement, and those who, because of a profession in contact with the public, found themselves exposed to a risk of contamination.

These cross-checks make it possible to identify 17 professions belonging to “the second line”. Their first common trait is first of all...

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