THE CHAMBER addresses the examination of the bill on social insurance

Paris, 10, — The Chamber, in its afternoon session, addresses the discussion of the bill on social insurance. We remember that the “Grand Echo, in a long interview with Mr. Daniel Vincent, has already explained the principles of this law
Mr. Grinda, rapporteur, shows that this law has great social significance. It concerns more than 10 million workers. — It will be, he said, the honor of our legislation to have developed it. (Loud applause). It will fill a big gap in our legislation and will notably aim to combat mortality.
The speaker lists the different countries in which we can see the benefits of social insurance. He then indicates that the provisions of the law, applicable to the countryside, will have no less positive effects on agricultural populations, in which, despite appearances, mortality is higher than in other working environments. (applause). The rapporteur then says that the vote on the law is more essential than ever, especially since the definitive return to France of Alsace and Lorraine, which have had a complete insurance system for many years. social, —
We cannot take away from our Alsatian and Lorraine brothers the laws of which they took the initiative and to which they are infinitely attached. It can, on the other hand, only have one and the same social legislation throughout the territory.
The rapporteur recalls how the reform initiative began. — It was in 1920, during his stay at the general police station of Alsace-Lorraine, that Mr. Millerand realized the beneficial effects of the organization. social insurance, of which he had been, as president of the House Insurance Commission and as minister, the fervent apostle.
Mr. Grinda then gave a full presentation of the work of the Commission. It shows that the project was heavily researched and constitutes a lasting and strongly established monument. Sanctions are provided to give the obligation its full useful effect.

Protection of the family

Mr. Grinda then gives long explanations on the mechanism of the law and indicates the different methods of achieving compulsory insurance against the various risks that threaten the worker. It shows that from a social point of view it is impossible to organize insurance against illness which is not supplemented by insurance against disability, any more than insurance against disability without old age insurance.
On the other hand, from a financial point of view, experience proves that it is the combination of the three insurances which makes it possible to restrict the clientele from physiological misery. The risks are better compensated the more they are diverse and numerous.
This system will also avoid to the fullest extent the procedures, formalities and paperwork complications, which employers and workers would rightly complain about.
Then examining the advantages of the project, the rapporteur declares that it has an essentially family basis. It is less the isolated worker that he protects than the French family in its integrity. The very concern of this family gives the operation of insurance a profoundly social reason for being (Loud applause from all benches).

State participation

The rapporteur then sets out the conditions for the management of insurance funds and their operation. The funds will be administered by the interested parties themselves and will enjoy a large degree of autonomy. They will be financed for the most part by contributions from employers and workers. State participation will be limited in its purpose and extent. Moreover, to protect public finances from any hazard it was decided that the general guarantee fund, in the event of insufficient cash flow, would resort to borrowing from the capitalization fund. The speaker sets the financial aid that the State will have to grant to social insurance at a maximum of 275 million for the year when costs will be highest. These charges will, moreover, gradually decrease.

Categories of insured

After a suspension of the session, Mr. Grinda indicates that the reform provides for two categories of insured: compulsory and optional. Mandatory insured persons are those whose salary does not exceed 10,000 francs, for those who do not have children with an increase of 2,000 francs per child dependent on the insured person. The number of beneficiaries in this category is estimated at 12 million, including women and children. Social insurance will therefore include as compulsory insured persons all French employees of either sex, whose remuneration does not exceed 10,000 francs, not counting increases for children, excluding employees currently benefiting from special schemes. and whose status will be subsequently developed. The age limit for entry into insurance is set at 60 years. Only self-employed workers, farmers, cultivators, sharecroppers, artisans, small bosses, non-salaried intellectual workers and, in general, all those who, without being employees, live mainly from the product of their work are accepted for optional insurance. Optionally insured persons are admitted under the same conditions as compulsory insured persons: 10,000 francs per year, plus a possible increase of 2,000 francs per child. The contribution rate fully paid by the insurer will be 10% of income. A favorable regime is granted: 1° To those who, before the vote of the law, had already taken an act of foresight: mutual members and those insured with workers' and peasants' pensions: 2° Veterans.

The situation of the wives of policyholders

A special situation is given to non-employee wives of policyholders. Those of these women who request their registration in accordance with the rules provided for will be entitled, for a uniform contribution, set at 120 francs per year: 1° In the event of illness, during the first six months, to care and medication; if the illness results in a total inability to take care of the household during the first five years, to a monthly allowance of 45 francs, and at the end of this period, to a reducible disability pension of 500 francs. 2° In the event of maternity: care during pregnancy, and during childbirth, with a possible daily allowance of 1.75 francs. The woman also receives a breastfeeding allowance. Other advantages, of lesser importance, are also granted to the wives of non-employee insurers.
The rapporteur then lists the conditions for the reversibility of half of the pension for the spouse. It indicates that contributions will be set at 10% of the annual salary and paid, half by the employer, half by the insured for compulsory insurance, with the State participating in the creation of pensions for small employees.
The social insurance law, once implemented, will reduce public assistance costs. The expenses it will cause will not be new expenses, but replacement expenses.
Mr. Bracke. — In any case, these will be productive expenses,
Mr. Grinda. — There is not the shadow of a doubt.- (Loud applause from all benches).

The Rapporteur reaches his conclusion! —
This law, says the rapporteur, has no political purpose, it is purely social. The Commission approved the financial mechanism of the project, which is both precise and delicate, which does the greatest credit to the wise minds who designed it. But it sought to grant the maximum advantages taking into account the current possibilities of employers and also the situation of our public finances.
The rest of the discussion is postponed to a later session. The Chamber then decides to extend to the government the power of amnesty pardon. She decides to leave it to Mr. Maginot to decide whether or not the July 14 review will be maintained. In the event of deletion, Mr. G.-L. Pammesnil requests that it be postponed to September 4. Session adjourned at 6:50 p.m.