Premium, salary increase … France proposes an agreement on the profession of midwife

Published on : 11/23/2021 – 14:42

The government announced Monday, November 23 the signing of a memorandum of understanding with a majority of hospital unions on midwives, on the eve of a third “black weekend” since the start of the school year, organized by other representatives of the profession.

The negotiations are finally coming to an end: after “a long process of consultation”, three ministers (Health, Civil Service, Families) welcomed in a press release the “important advances” of this document initialed by Force Ouvrière, the CFDT and the Unsa, as well as the French Hospital Federation (FHF) on the employers’ side.

“Medical practice premium”

The memorandum of understanding notably includes a “medical exercise bonus” of 240 euros net per month from February, then a salary increase of 78 euros net on average from March for midwives in public hospitals, which ‘they are permanent or contractual.

By adding these measures to the 183 euros of “Ségur de la santé” paid since the end of 2020, the government puts forward a “net revaluation of 500 euros per month”. An amount significantly increased compared to the 360 ​​euros per month promised in mid-September by Olivier Véran.

An extension to which are added other concessions on career advancement at the hospital (promotion rate doubled until 2024), midwives of local authorities (who will also be entitled to 78 euros from March), those of the private sector (the Sécu will finance revaluations up to the level of the public) and the liberal ones (an agreement with the health insurance is aimed “before the end of the year”).

“A commitment of 100 million euros in 2022”

In the end, the executive argues “a commitment of 100 million euros in 2022” and also accepts to extend the studies of future midwives, from 5 to 6 years from the 2022 promotion.

The slate has therefore become heavier in two months. In the meantime, the profession mobilized on the occasion of a day of demonstrations in early October – the sixth this year – and two strike weekends, carried by most organizations.

The protocol however comes to cut in two the union cordon just before a new “black weekend” planned from November 26 to 29, at the call of the ONSSF (categorial) and with the support of the CGT which filed a notice to cover the movement.

Among the signatories, “we are not saying that this is sufficient, but it is a stage agreement which remains positive”, underlines Gilles Gadier (FO), who intends to “continue to work” on the status and the workforce.

“We are going to sign because there is still progress, even if we remain unsatisfied,” said Jean-Claude Stutz (Unsa), estimating that “the government must not think that it is got rid of the problem “.

With AFP