Bercy is very firm on the merits but does not exclude some arrangements

After the vote the last summer of the Act on the mobility of officials, the Government hoped no doubt that the most difficult was done. This is not the case. Since the revelation of the draft decree on dismissal of officials refusing to three posts following a reorganization ("Les Echos" from February 1), the controversy swells and takes the approach of regional elections, a political twist.

Tuesday, in the wake of the unions, the opposition has criticized the State of "wanting to dismantle the status" (PS) of public servants and build them into "scapegoats" (green). Within the UMP, the villepinistes were of their Spades, the MP François Goulard, stressing that "this is not the assent that it motivates" agents on the reform of the State.

"Lay-off" Office

In response, the Prime Minister, François Fillon denounced, yesterday on Europe 1, "a grotesque controversy" and "a bad trial." Arguing that "The State can already terminate an employee refusing a position" pursuant to such a provision dating from Government Mauroy, in 1984, he said that the draft decree will bring "more guarantees than in the previous legislation.

The reality is more complex. Of course, an employee refusing today a mutation for "reasons of service" may be dismissed. But such imposed mobilities are in fact remained rather limited and the dismissals resulting very rare (10-20 per year). Other dismissal opportunities remain limited (280 in 2008) and are also restricted to specific cases (physical incapacity, offending behaviour...).

"Which prepares goes far away and organizes large-scale redundancies," said FO. The draft decree in fact reaches a major milestone by making it possible to lay-off "" Office of an officer refusing to three positions. He then retains its status but ceased to work and is more paid (see opposite).

Gold, and it is the true heart of the controversy, lay-offs were so far on the basis of volunteerism, for agents for example wanting to go to the private sector. "Put authority in availability of agents, it is anything but new safeguards!", rebelled the CGT. "Layoffs are becoming the prélicenciements", also believes FO, according to which the measure could affect some 100,000 agents the reorganization of the State in the region. Bercy challenge formally in referring to "thousands of agents potentially concerned each year.

Into force in April or may

Eric Woerth, Minister of the Budget and the public service, also argues that a similar device is in place in local communities since 1994 and "implementation ...". "no never gave rise to put drift forward by opponents of the law on mobility". It is indeed the case, but the unions counter that "this is not comparable", communities has not experienced such as ongoing restructuring with the reform of the State.

The draft decree must be reviewed at the Higher Council of the public service of next Wednesday, and then enter into force in April or may. Bercy is very firm on the merits but does not exclude some arrangements. The CFDT hopes to obtain at least a better framework for the device, "on guarantees of taking account of the geographical and family circumstances of the officers to new positions is proposed.