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New legislation for night shift workers in Monaco

Recently, elected officials adopted a bill to ensure night shift workers’ health be better monitored and that they obtain additional pension rights.

The elected representatives tabled a bill on the regulation of night shifts. This is the first proposal from the Renaissance List, represented by Eric Elena, the only elected member of this list in 2013, now attached to the New Majority group. In essence, the proposed legislation seeks to better supervise employees who work between 10 pm and 5 am. “The existence of a more restrictive regime appears necessary in view of the health risks arising from this form of activity. Studies have shown that the human body is more sensitive to environmental disturbances at night and that long periods of night work are detrimental to the health of workers and can compromise their safety,” explains Eric Elena. “This text is not addressed to a corporation but to all night shift workers,” says Thierry Poyet (NM), chairman of the Commission for Social Interests and Miscellaneous Affairs, who prepared the text. A way to avoid the whistling remarks saying that this text is only in the interest of SBM employees? “Night work affects a vital sector of the Principality with restaurants, hotels, night clubs. Not just gaming employees,” said Christian Barilaro (HM).

Faster route to retirement

The fact remains that the bill, received by a favourable vote, endeavours to remain flexible. “Given the weight of night work in Monaco’s economy and the large number of very small companies operating in the Principality, the Committee hoped that the proposed night shift regulations would not be too restrictive. The exceptional character of night shift work was not enshrined, which made it possible to maintain the right of employers to resort to night shifts without having to justify their decision,” the reporter explained. “A flexibility which many countries envy. The sustainability of our economic and social model comes at this price,” underlines Caroline Rougaignon-Vernin (NM).

Night shift employees could earn five years, triggered by one month of additional pension entitlement per year worked. However, an additional and new contribution may weigh on them and their employers. A stipulation which raised some reservations from elected Claude Boisson and Jacques Rit. The text is now in the government office.

Would community service be useful in the Principality?

Will the Principality introduce a new sentence for convicted prisoners in the form of community service, which has been in effect in France since 1983? Despite seven abstentions, the elected members of the National Council adopted a bill on the subject on Tuesday evening. “This new punishment would be based on voluntary work to promote the social reintegration of convicted persons by performing unpaid work useful to the community,” argues Claude Boisson (HM), detailing the main lines of this bill to the High Assembly.

“The goal of public and general interest work is twofold: to strengthen the social integration of convicted persons and to combat recidivism. This punishment is thus particularly adapted to offenders for whom prison can be traumatic or ineffective, considering the cases of recidivism.” And continuing: “community service cannot therefore be a principal punishment by the judge, as are imprisonments and fines. The judge will nevertheless have an additional option allowing them to adapt the penal sanction to the personality of the offender. The accused, who is the beneficiary of this option, nevertheless knows that if they refuse, they will be exposed to the more conventional penalties of fines or imprisonment.  They therefore have an immediate interest in accepting it.”

In solidarity with her colleague, Beatrice Fresko-Rolfo, sees in the bill as “a real cultural change. Accepting to improve the community is also an improvement in itself. To be forgiven by contributing to our community.” Doubts came from the elected representatives of the New Majority.

“In principle, I share your point of view. I am not convinced that it can be easily applied to Monaco. How can we force non-residents, for example? “Asks Jean-Michel Cucchi. Thierry Poyet asked “the effectiveness of the measure and the impact of the punishment in a city where everyone knows each other?”

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