The French government has adopted a number of decrees to provide more details as to how, in practice, some of the provisions of the existing statute on immigration will be applied. The statute created the temporary carte de séjour (residence permit) with specific reference to ‘seasonal workers’.
This permit applies to foreign workers with a seasonal employment contract who plan to continue living in their normal place of residence outside France. It is granted on a renewable basis over a three-year period and allows its holder to reside in France for a set period of time. The worker may then carry out seasonal work for one or several employers for a duration not exceeding six months out of a 12-month period.
To tackle illegal immigration, the statute has also increased employers’ obligations. Any companies found to be employing foreign workers without legal permits will be fined.
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Any contract whose value exceeds €3,000 (£2,243)will require the company contracting for services or goods to obtain from its supplier a detailed list of staff, including the names of any foreign workers who require a work permit. Previously, a sworn statement of compliance was sufficient.
Additionally, to ensure that the worker holds a valid work permit, the employer will need to write to the departmental “préfet” at least two business days before the date on which the employee’s employment contract is due to start.
