French President Emmanuel Macron's government yesterday unveiled plans to make it more difficult for the unemployed to claim benefits, reports France 24. The jobless benefits reforms are part of an overhaul of France's labour market that aims to boost the nation's economy. However, trade unions have denounced the plans as unfair and damaging to the country's social security system and some unions have called for protests. Business leaders have also criticised plans to introduce sanctions for companies that keep workers on short-term contracts and incentives for those that offer permanent contracts instead. The planned jobless benefits changes extend the period people will have had to work to be entitled to unemployment benefits and reduces the amount wealthier workers can receive after six months out of work. Politicians have stated that the primary objective of the legislation is “not to save money but to ensure that work pays more than inactivity”. Macron’s government is aiming for “full employment” by 2025 and plans to pass the controversial labour law changes by decree this summer.