For their New Year’s wishes, Philippe Gautier and Pierre Mario reviewed the 2016 fiscal year.
There were good points, less good points, and negative aspects that are tending to improve a little. What matters to them now is a 2017 full of promise.
The reception is simple and intimate. The FBTP 06 did not go for grandeur but hit the mark. In the very office of the president, the Gautier-Mario duo sits opposite, separated only by a round desk. Nothing pompous, just the essentials.
“Feel free to interrupt us to ask your questions. It’s better if it’s interactive,” says Philippe Gautier, the president of the federation. After a simple introduction of his new right-hand man, Pierre Mario, he gets to the point.
2016 Better Than 2015
At the previous New Year’s meeting, the FBTP 06 wished for an improvement, or rather to lose fewer employees and orders. This has been achieved. The year 2016 counts 22,000 employees, indicating stabilization. As for apprentices, an improvement as well with 1,000 young people, a recovery.
“I want to acknowledge the measures by Christian Estrosi through the Region, which encourages apprenticeship with a grant of €3,000 for any company that retains an apprentice.”
Another element of satisfaction for Philippe Gautier is the interest in training such as gas, first aid, the RGE label, and technical reports.
Regarding housing, Philippe Mario takes over with a first piece of news: a 12% increase in new activity. Not enough to return to the pre-2008 crisis situation but still satisfying.
Philippe Gautier emphasizes, “We must recognize the attractive measures and taxation, such as the zero-interest loan for young people. The stock market instability is calmer; the CICE has helped stabilize employment.” These are elements that help explain the sector’s improved health.
However, there are some downsides. There are still almost 10,000 unemployed in the construction sector in the Alpes-Maritimes, and the lack of investment in certain infrastructures ultimately costs three times more when it comes to repairing them.
Hopes for 2017
There are many tools that can help the FBTP emerge from a situation that remains complicated. The presidential election in May could change the situation, and for now, a certain wait-and-see attitude predominates. “Let’s have a truly attractive housing policy. We have brought ideas to the French Building Federation. We have high hopes for housing in 2017,” affirms Philippe Gautier.
Another anticipated element for 2017 is the arrival of an identity card specifically issued to BTP employees. While there are still some unclear areas, such as in the case of work in Monaco, the card should be a significant deterrent to undeclared work.
Another indirect positive effect is that the card will complicate the task for foreign companies and thus contribute to a protectionism of French workers.
One concern remains, the method of tax collection. “If the process becomes a burden for the company owner, what will become of the employee’s private life? The owner would need to have access to the household income of their employee and could therefore refuse them a raise on the grounds that they earn enough with their partner?” concludes Pierre Mario.
