French justice ministry promises action after report it hired undeclared workers

France’s justice ministry says it will address its employment problem after an investigation leaked in the press found it had hired more than 40,000 undeclared workers on a casual basis.

French Justice Minister Christiane Taubira Reuters/Philippe Wojazer

The interpreters, experts and mediators have been employed by the ministry on a daily basis and paid by the hour. But they have not been hired on proper terms and do not make contributions to social security or pay value-added tax.

The 2014 report, obtained by satirical weekly Le Canard Enchaine, said that the practice was long-standing. It also found that a total of 50,000 people had been hired improperly to work in public service jobs.

A justice ministry spokesman has told news agency AFP that an "action plan" has been drawn up to address the problem, including the rapid recruitment of 45 interpreters.

Justice Minister Christiane Taubira said Wednesday that she would deal with the issue "head on".

"It's a problem I will take head on because I believe first that the Ministry of Justice must set an example ... it is my responsibility to take care of it," she told news reporters.

If a class action lawsuit were to be launched, the cost for the public purse would be around half a billion euros, according to the report.

Several suits have already been filed individually, mainly by interpreters who say the practice has caused them to have gaps in their contributions to France's welfare system.

"These are people who work exclusively at the request of police or judicial authorities. It's 100 per cent of their professional activity," lawyer David Dokhan told France Inter radio, adding that his clients had "no pay slip" and "no social protection."