Original subtitles

There was a knock

at the door in my Parliament room.

I was still in bed. I didn't answer.

The door opened. I grunted: "I'm here."

The door closed with an apology.

As I was now awake, I went for breakfast.

When I returned, the shower mat was picked up,

the toilet bowl was clean, the towels changed, the bins emptied.

The same miracle every day.

Women do it, not fairies.

I chatted to them in the corridors.

They arrive at 6 and leave at 10 so they don't disturb the MPs' work.

Here and elsewhere, I hear the expression, a "service society".

It's eagerly presented as a promise of happiness.

Obviously, we're the ones who are served.

We should beware this service society doesn't become one of servitude

with serfs, servants, and maids with a new face and name,

more modern and acceptable, giving us a clear conscience.

It's not just cleaners. My grandmother has homecare assistants.

She's 104 years old and lives in Northern France.

They too have lots of little contracts,

making 10 euros here, 10 euros there.

They work weekends and end up doing lots of hours

for minimal pay with no job security.

During my campaign,

disabled pupil assistants came up to me.

They're women.

It's a caring profession.

I said to the Economic Affairs Commission

they deserved caring profession status

when I was given a mission.

When I got the mission...

I was the spokesperson. They put me with someone else: Bruno Bonnell.

Know him?

Bruno Bonnell doesn't give a damn

what constituents think of him.

"I'm not a social worker

doling out council housing."

Should wealth tax be reinstated?

Stop brandishing the ghosts of the past. It's behind us, where it belongs.

A real jerk!

There was a show in the US, "The Apprentice".

Trump played the scumbag boss who humiliated people.

For the French adaptation, they chose Bruno Bonnell as the boss.

My name is Bruno Bonnell. I set up companies.

If they didn't want competition, they shouldn't have applied.

You need to be determined

to keep succeeding. The best isn't enough.

Who'll get the job?

'Morning.

- Hi, Bruno. - Hello there.

I was telling them, quite frankly,

that when the mission was launched

and I found out it was you, I said: "Why do I get this jerk?"

I said, quite frankly, about you: "I'm gonna get this jerk!"

Each of us in turn!

I wanted to protest to Roland Lescure: "Look who you gave me!"

He's the Economic Affairs Committee President.

"Look who you gave me, just to block me."

Then, I thought: "Let's get a coffee and who I'm dealing with."

In 1 minute, it was settled

because we got straight down to sensitive topics like your life story.

I don't know if you'll talk about it or not.

But when you deal with personal events that have happened,

the political, ideological barriers fall and you rebuild something else.

- Wrong meeting! - No, but it's at 3.

Wednesday, mission, see?

This is a group meeting of The Republic on the Move. Great!

- Come in. - Yes, welcome.

It's been proven

that we're so badly treated

because they are jobs done by women, period.

We don't just walk little old ladies' doggies.

True, that's a service job.

But caring for people is very different.

And those jobs aren't appreciated.

What's needed is training and qualifications.

In yellow is time spent waiting and travel. It's not paid.

An hour's travel a day not paid is 7,000 euros lost over 3 years.

That's 12 hours' travel for 4 or 5 hours at minimum wage.

I see part-time workers doing 53 hours a week. It's totally illegal.

In profit and non-profit sectors, it's the same disregard for the law.

- Hello. - Jean-François Legall, Fedesap.

Pleased to meet you. Oh, there's a big group! Hello.

How many are there?!

I have trouble hiring people.

I try every day. But how do we attract them?

So, we try to raise their pay.

But the politicians encourage us to lower their pay.

The lower the pay, the higher the contribution exemptions.

The companies in this sector

have shown that they could make proposals,

they perform well and are high in quality.

Whether companies are non-profit or not, it's the same economic model.

It's just a different way of distributing the few dividends.

You're looking at it from an economic perspective.

But the question will come up at some point:

does it fit into a category we can treat as a pure market category?

That's a real question.

- To the right? - Right.

- Welcome. Sleep well? - Hello.

- Hello. - Welcome.

I'm not tweeting, I'm taking notes.

People think I'm on the phone...

- I use an old-fashioned notebook. - He's old-fashioned. I'm very modern.

Sébastien knows the Committee. Our mission is the Caring Professions.

He told us about the precarity

and now the tenure of homecare assistants.

Can you tell us about homecare assistants in Dieppe?

For many years, the town hall has had a homecare department.

When we told staff they'd get paid holidays,

a fixed salary, days off,

time for training,

at first, they thought there was a catch!

I'm pleased we've shown that lack of job security is a political choice.

If things are organized differently, it's good for everyone.

I'd put it the other way round.

Your challenge, by stabilizing the fragile caring profession,

is to improve the service to people, a real public service.

We're deliberately going against the grain.

There's no national status

for this profession.

- So, we go against the grain... - Or ahead of the curve.

Either way, we're at the forefront.

But the norm is: people with no job security look after similar people.

Bruno said that public service is the solution!

- I'm not ashamed to say it. - It's on tape!

I do have some left-wing tendencies, you know.

Who said: "You don't have the monopoly on the heart"?

You're a Giscard supporter?

History has shown you don't have much heart.

- You can have a heart of stone! - Heartless!

Let's move closer. It's very formal if we're so far apart.

What's changed since you got permanent contracts 8 years ago?

With fixed-term contracts, we were paid by the hour.

So, the more hours we did, the more we got paid.

And then...

When we lost a customer, sometimes our salary would be halved.

It was impossible. So, Mr. Jumel saw that we got a fixed amount every month.

I'd work every Sunday 26 years ago.

We didn't get a day off. We'd work 12 days in a row.

When we started, we'd work 12 days in a row to get a weekend off.

I'd do up to 200 hours a month at the start.

The most I did was 186.

But as you get older, you can't do 186 hours a month.

You don't have a family life or anything.

You don't appreciate your work. You're on edge all the time.

You don't appreciate it because you have some very bad cases.

Do you feel better now your work is recognized?

Yeah, we feel appreciated by the town hall.

We feel more integrated, so to speak.

But this job isn't for everyone.

You have to like people.

attract old people wherever I go.

Whenever old people are lost,

they always come up to me.

I wanted to work with old people.

My first old person had Alzheimer's.

I had no training.

- You chose it? - Yes.

I really like what I do.

As long as I can make them happy, I'll carry on.

Know what they call us?

"Our ray of sunshine."

That says it all.

Yes, we mean a lot to them.

Do you get any special training on end-of-life care?

I looked after a lady till the end. She wouldn't go to a hospice.

Well, I can tell you, mentally, it's tough.

You grow attached to them.

She died, holding my hand,

and her eyes closed.

I was expecting it, but even so...

A week later, I was at a discussion group.

I got it all off my chest. I cried my eyes out.

- You have to. - I let it all go.

I wouldn't miss the discussion group for anything.

Even on holiday, we go.

I had an end-of-life case 2 years ago.

The person died in the morning when I was there too.

It still gets to me!

And then, you go straight back to work.

It's best to get back on the horse.

You grow fond of them.

Yes, you wouldn't be human otherwise.

You have to be strong in our job.

A lady I'd looked after for over 10 years died.

She was like my grandma.

I was working in the morning.

They waited for me to arrive at the cemetery.

- Like you were family. - Yes.

It was so heart-warming.

- That's real gratitude. - Yes.

It's a beautiful town.

You see them all together and it's crazy

because they're all so loving, giving of themselves.

It's gut-wrenching. It's incredible.

I was really moved.

So, we should...

help them.

We first met in a school

one Saturday morning. Like today, it wasn't very warm.

There was an athletics competition. I brought my kids.

Jumping, running, throwing. And you came along.

And all the kids started grabbing at your coat

and shouting: "Assia, Assia!"

- I wondered who you were. - Yes.

I'm a disabled pupil assistant. I didn't know you were an MP.

It's true.

You showed me your job. I met your colleagues.

And it's thanks to you we've started this mission on caring,

disabled pupil assistants, etc. You've given me a lot of work!

That's true! Well, that's good.

Thanks for meeting us.

We know it wasn't easy.

I took it very badly. I felt it was psychological pressure.

A parliamentary commission is coming to question you.

"You mustn't speak ill of the school. What will you say?"

We were caught in a vice. 3 of them were telling us what to say.

Low-grade staff were getting the blame again.

The poor of the education system.

We're treated like shit. And they crush us even more.

That's basically how I felt.

I wanted to tell you before we start.

I had an autistic child in my first year.

It was severe: he couldn't talk, wouldn't look at you, he'd rock all day.

It was really tough. I'd had no training.

I didn't know how to talk to him, how to deal with him,

what activities to give him. I learned on the job. We learned together.

I read lots of books on autism, I watched reports...

- You're self-taught. - Yes.

When you start, you're worried.

- You found out on the first day? - Yes.

They don't know beforehand because of medical confidentiality.

I often help the teacher tidy the classroom, talk to the parents...

They love hearing how their child's day went.

Assisting disabled pupils is a real profession.

Why shouldn't there be a diploma?

- Well, why not? - Yeah, why not?

After 5 years, I'm not boasting, but I have experience.

Sandie, 9 years.

We've become disabled pupil professionals.

I'm not necessarily for a very high level of training to get in,

but once you start working,

you should have in-house training and a diploma.

For a long time, I ran

a business school, a management school.

And during my time there, I said:

"Let's select students based on them, not their diplomas."

You said you're treated like shit.

- In what way? - Our pay, first of all.

I get 734 euros.

With 3 kids, I get paid extra: 834.

I work on the side too to make ends meet.

- We have no choice. - I do cleaning jobs here and there.

I can't buy a house with a permanent job.

- Even she can't... - I just can't.

They said: "Sorry, but there's no way."

So, do you feel appreciated?

By the parents and the teacher, that's all.

The teacher I work with is amazing.

I've worked with her for 2 years in a kindergarten class.

And every day, when I leave, she thanks me.

You wouldn't believe how good that feels.

It's a breath of fresh air. At least they appreciate us. Those above don't.

Do you think about career development, so to speak?

Do you plan ahead or do you say: "If it stops, I'll do something else"?

I don't intend to carry on. I signed a 3-year contract.

I think I'll do the 3 years, but I'll look for something else.

- Why? - I'm disgusted by it all.

Got it.

Beautiful!

- I love cathedrals. - Really?

Let's take a look.

I'm so pleased.

- So, you studied here? - Yeah.

- I'm a real local. - That's good.

- You don't have the accent. - I lost it over time.

I can still do it if I'm pressed.

I'd need to practice.

It was just after the war

In a rundown dance hall

On the dancefloor There were two of them

Out in the open They danced amid the rubble

"Veal kidneys"!

What's a typical dish here?

No, I don't remember the name of the dance hall

I just remember those lovers who weren't looking around them

Presidential Address

We have no masks, some hand sanitizer.

Hardly any gloves. We're afraid to go to work.

I was told to bring a bottle for hand sanitizer. I bought it myself.

I also bought a nurse's coat with my own money.

I got it online for 19 euros.

It was the cheapest nurse's coat I could find.

I can't afford luxury stuff.

I started at 6.30 AM and stopped at 8 PM

because right now we have to work.

We have no support whatsoever. "Just do your job."

- Hi, François. - Hi, Gilles.

- Watch the President? - Yes.

We gotta go and film.

Yes, we can't miss out on all this.

We have to exit lockdown before the government.

Zoom will be the symbol of lockdown.

- Hi, Bruno, OK? - Hi.

- I recognize the kitchen. - Yeah.

Listen, Bruno...

When lockdown started, I thought we should pause the mission.

Then, I thought we couldn't stop

because homecare assistants were still working, they had no masks,

and they're on the front line, working with old people.

So, I thought we should continue our mission.

You have to strike while the iron is hot.

Sure. I agree with you.

This mission was ahead of its time.

Everyone is asking how

to improve the profession. The pyramid has been turned upside down.

Yes, it's a sharp left turn.

"Social distinctions may only be founded upon the common good."

But we're not going to turn childminders,

homecare assistants or nurses into resistance fighters.

So, it mustn't swing the other way.

Well, that's a long way off.

You're predicting a big swing,

but so far, there's no swing on status or pay!

No, but I think this mission could speed things up

because I think we'll need ideas.

If we don't put an after in the during, there'll be no after.

We'll forget that the checkout girls, nurses

and cleaners maintained the nation's essential services.

The road should be pretty quiet.

God, you brought your smelly cheese!

As always!

Thanks, the car will stink!

To protect yourself and others, stay home.

Hi, sorry to bother you.

I talked to Bruno Bonnell.

"Remove your card."

He's OK to table a bill soon...

on the status and pay of homecare assistants.

I think we should go for it.

Exactly. So, I think the status...

Shit, it's overflowed!

What a damn mess!

I'm walking in it!

In this car, there's a mix of smells: cheese and diesel!

It's pretty strange!

If we puke, it won't necessarily be 'cause of Covid-19!

Hello, Mrs. Michaud.

I've been bedbound for 2 years.

I used to walk around the house a bit, but I'd fall over.

I can't stand anymore.

- The carer's the only person you see? - That's right.

My family are all dead.

- We're here. - Yeah...

- Did you wonder if she'd keep coming? - Every morning...

you wonder if they'll come.

We told you that we'll always come to feed and wash you.

There's no need to worry, we're here for you.

Did you listen to Macron's speeches?

- Not all of them. - What a joke!

I mean it, when he opens his mouth, I say: "Shut up, you liar!"

I'd say it to his face.

I ain't scared of him just 'cause he's president.

It might be rude, but

I say: "I don't need another asshole. I already got one!"

That's just how I am!

I like to have a laugh, but don't push it.

My 4 carers are great.

They really are.

- Should they be paid like traders? - A bit more.

- Like traders? - Yeah.

This morning,

she said: "I like to come in the morning 'cause you cheered me up for the day."

I like a laugh.

It works both ways: we cheer them up, they cheer us up.

I find it easier to talk to old people

than younger people.

Oh dear, I should come back when I'm 80 to do a good film!

I won't be around then!

- Good evening. - 'Evening.

That's it, all done.

- For the day? - Yes.

- When did you start? - 8 AM.

So, you work from 8 AM to 8 PM.

At least 1 weekend in 2.

And you work at least 6 days out of 7.

- Are there 2 salaries? - Not now.

The workload was largely to blame.

I'd start work early.

I'd get home late in the evening.

I'd have a shower, eat dinner, and go to bed, exhausted.

So, what with the workload, we split up and sold the house.

So, you live on 1 salary.

Yes, and there's my son too.

At first, the lady we're going to see

would say: "Stay away from me!"

She was afraid at first.

- Hello there. - Hello.

How are things?

Fine, when I see you.

What should I do today?

- Wash my hair. - OK.

I've got my good towel.

You can rub harder.

It's not strong inside, but outside it is!

What did you do this weekend?

Oh, don't ask.

Why's that?

- I cried the whole time. - Oh, dear.

Did you have bad news?

It's because I broke

a family heirloom that meant a lot to me.

Oh, no.

Do you want your hair brushed back or to the side?

The parting is there.

There? OK.

Should I dust your room?

No, let's look at all the papers I don't understand.

Show me then.

Let me see.

It depends how long you have.

There's another...

22 minutes.

It's tax return time.

So, they count on us to help them fill them in.

OK.

Sabrina said it's OK.

It's OK. So, you can put that away.

I started at Le Pollet. I did 45 minutes.

I went up to Janval and did 45 minutes.

I went down into town: 30 minutes, a wash.

I went back up to Janval: a wash, 30 minutes.

Also in Janval: 30 minutes, a wash.

For the same person, 30 minutes to prepare a meal.

Then, I went back to the first person:

30 minutes for a meal at Le Pollet.

And in the evening, I did 30 minutes in Dieppe: personal hygiene.

I went up to Janval: 30 minutes, a meal.

And back down to Le Pollet: 30 minutes for a meal, personal hygiene, and bed.

And now I have to get a move on!

Hello, Joël and Odile.

- OK? - Yes, you?

- With all the rain? - What a day!

- Hello there. - Hello.

When I take off your dressing gown, I have to be careful.

That's right, my dear.

- If the birdie pops out... - No, Isabelle.

- Here we go. - Yes, Isabelle.

Off we go... It's raining.

- It rained a lot last night. - Did it?

- Didn't you hear it? - No.

We'll do the same as usual.

Same as usual.

Yes...

Yes.

I was 18 when I first washed a man.

I did all right.

It's not easy at first.

Why did you choose this job?

Well, actually...

After working in a factory, I was unemployed.

I thought: "Why not?" And I like helping other people.

Now I do it because I love my job.

And the people. You meet some lovely people.

There are bad ones too. Not all of them are good.

- Yes. - Joël always says "Yes".

Yes.

Thank you.

We can't keep a safe distance in this job.

- What? - I can't stay 6 feet away.

- It's impossible. - Depends on the bathroom.

Even so. How can I wash you like that? It's impossible.

Or with a pressure jet and a hose!

Like the firemen!

2, 3...

There! What a job!

- Thanks, Isabelle. - Not easy... I'll clean the bathroom.

Next it's Madam's turn.

- You're from Amiens? - Yes, and he's from Savoie.

- Well, Haute-Savoie. - Is that so?

- What happened to you? - A stroke.

In 2009.

April 4.

- You were going to work? - Yes.

I was shaving before work.

I felt a sharp pain in my jaw and I fell down.

- What did you do for a living? - Baker.

For 45 years.

- As a baker? - Yes.

I started when I was 14.

You were about to retire, then?

Almost. I was 59.

It was a year away.

You've been in a wheelchair since?

Unfortunately, yes.

I could've died.

Some people die on the spot.

My doctor said I was a survivor.

With what I had, I mustn't complain.

I could've died.

Sometimes...

I'd have preferred to...

because...

not being able to work...

That's what really eats me up.

Not being able to garden, do odd jobs...

Yes, I did everything around here.

The floor tiles...

The lights, everything.

And the garden went all the way around the house.

- Bye, sweetie. - Bye.

You can live without wealth

Almost penniless

Lords and princesses

There aren't many left

But living without tenderness

You just cannot

No, no, no

You just cannot

You can live without glory

It proves nothing

Being an unknown

And still be happy

But living without tenderness

There is just no way

No, no, no

There is just no way

I got a call from the head of A&E at Amiens hospital.

Every week they're short of stuff: sedatives to calm the patients,

hand sanitizer, moisturizing cream, masks, but above all, the gowns.

The risk is... I mean, they've completely run out.

They started making them locally.

My mother made the ones in the back.

She makes gowns

in her living room.

This is Flixecourt.

Flixecourt was a big textile producer until the 1970s.

It was huge. There's nothing left now.

It didn't happen by chance

or by the invisible hand of the market. No, they signed deals

which relocated production to Morocco and Madagascar.

Then, to China.

So, now they can't make any damn gowns locally.

Apart from a few people with sewing machines

in their kitchens.

This is the sewing room, the play area, and my husband's study.

For 2 days, I'm on the day shift and on Friday, the night shift.

You find time to sew gowns, on top of the kids?

It's not easy, but I manage.

While I sew, my son does his homework, and my daughter plays.

So, we keep it in the family!

Did you think hospitals had to operate on a shoestring like that?

No.

Is it good news or bad news?

It's a good solution to the lack of gowns,

but frontline workers shouldn't have to make them.

- You wear it and throw it away? - Yes, it's single-use.

CASUALTY

That's from the nurse we went to see.

Where do you get the fabric?

We had a lot of donations

from garden centres and so on. People really stepped up.

Did you think hospitals would get supplies from garden centres?

No, I didn't!

In some hospitals, staff use bin bags.

We're not at that point yet!

Covid exams Restricted access

- Do you have a home help? - Yes.

Despite the pandemic, are they still coming?

- Yes. - OK, good.

We work and work for 12 hours at a time.

And when I go home,

I feel like I didn't give the patients all I could.

You have to go see them, talk to them, offer them a glass of water...

You mustn't forget they're human beings.

When you're running around for 12 hours, it's not easy.

What we have to stress

for the future

is what humanity's true needs are.

- That's it. - It's what my mission is about.

There's something I've said for 10 years now:

we should stop making people serve the economy

and go back to making the economy serve people.

We have to turn things around.

I feel like we're not making the same film!

I'm filming people and interviewing homecare assistants.

You're filming rivers and such like!

Well, it makes a change for him!

That's a good triple-layer mask.

Yes, not bad.

How were things at the start?

At the start, we didn't have any masks or gloves.

Some ladies had none.

I'm off work at the moment,

but that's also due to my work.

Someone like Véronique is working although she has health issues.

She puts the old people first.

I don't go to work, stressed,

but when I get home, I can't stop eating.

Yeah, it's my nerves.

It's a way of getting back at something.

I'm happy to look after old people,

but when I get home, I break down.

During the mission, I discovered

that it's the profession

with the most work-related injuries, more than construction work.

Yes, my shoulders are worn out.

I've had 2 operations.

The first shoulder 2 years ago.

And this one last year. I'm unfit for work.

I can't carry people now. I've done it too much.

6 years ago, it was my knee.

I was supporting someone who had difficulty walking.

He was 6 feet tall and weighed about 16 stone.

He lost his balance.

I tried to stop him, but he fell on me.

I had a broken tibial plateau. 4 months off work.

Those are just a few examples.

I had an operation on my shoulder too. Ruptured ligaments.

3 years ago, I had an accident, taking a lady...

It seems funny now! ...shopping.

She was on the escalator and she fell back on me.

My knee bore the brunt of it.

I was off work for 4 months with my heels.

When you can't even stand up,

you feel diminished.

And you just feel tired out from carrying people.

- Hello. - Hi, Martine.

I hope you haven't been waiting too long.

I broke down. I had to push the car.

Great way to start the day!

Does your car often do that?

Maybe the fuel gauge is playing up.

Mrs. Galand, it's Martine.

Not always easy to get on.

- What? - They're not always easy to get on.

- OK? - Yes.

So, that's Mr.?

- Ruffin. - Oh, right.

- François Ruffin. - Should I lower my mask for a moment?

Yes, go ahead.

- There. - That's better.

It is me!

- OK? - Yes.

- Will you help me? - Yes.

It's no mean feat!

I was working weekends and I wanted to make a detour on the way

to get something from the supermarket.

Some cheese for dinner.

It cost me dearly.

The police stopped me and asked for my declaration.

I gave them my employer's declaration.

They said to me:

"The other one."

I didn't understand.

"I just gave it to you."

They said: "You need a declaration for your shopping."

A 135-euro fine. I started to grumble:

"Do you realize how little homecare assistants earn?

135 euros is a lot on our pay."

It takes me 2 days, almost 3 to earn that back.

Here's what I earned in 2019:

10,411...

for a year's work.

That's 867 euros and a few centimes a month.

- So, you're a poor worker? - Yes.

I'm a poor worker.

But we like our job. I've always done this.

- Hike people. - I wouldn't have liked it.

I was a toilet attendant at the town hall for 15 years.

- You were the toilet lady? - That's right.

I liked it.

But not her job?

- Pardon? - Not her job?

- Why not? - Especially not the washing.

I don't look at my pay. I make do with it.

It's sad to say, but I make do with what I have.

I don't do an extra hour to make a bit extra.

That's not how I think.

- I make do with what I have. - But between living on 860 a month

and wanting to be stinking rich, there's a difference.

How much is your rent?

468.

- Plus housing benefit? - Not anymore.

So, you make 860 euros and you pay 450 in rent.

Yes, since the start of the year.

Because I earned a bit more last year, my housing benefit was stopped.

I'm used to juggling with money.

I don't waste it.

- On clothes or cars... - I bet you don't!

I'm used to being careful.

I put my daughter first.

- Goodbye. - Goodbye. Have a nice day.

We're late.

I said 5.20 AM.

We had a message from a certain Géraldine.

She's a cleaner

at Amiens university and hospital.

For a subcontractor called O'net. (a pun on clean and honest)

She asked if they'd get the Covid bonus.

Her boss said no.

And the hospital doesn't care.

'Morning.

I work from 6 to 9 AM

for a company at the campus.

At 12, I work in another area.

Then, I work from 4.30 to 7.30 PM.

I wake up at 4.30 AM.

And by the time I get home, I don't get to bed before 10.30.

We're not allowed to enter

the hospital premises. They put a stop to it.

Should we come with you?

Well, I think the boss isn't far away.

It's crazy, they get up at 5 AM

to clean this building.

They go home, then come back till 7 PM to clean the building opposite.

This hospital cost a billion euros.

Partly because the entrance hall is made of marble.

There are plants which cost 2,500 euros each.

They died, so they bought others costing 3,000.

The director wanted a nice showcase to compete with the private clinics.

But the cleaning operatives are paid...

below minimum wage, the poverty line.

Oh, there's the dog. It's a pitbull.

Hello.

The bonus

Mr. Macron mentioned isn't for us.

We're not considered hospital staff except when it comes to working.

We're considered hospital staff when it suits them.

Do you get an end-of-year bonus

of 800 euros?

No.

- Do you get holiday vouchers? - No.

- Culture vouchers? - No.

Do you get student grants?

- I don't think so. - We don't know.

Since they outsourced, that's all been lost.

And full-time workers are now part-time.

They use outside firms to save money.

So, of course...

Our team has gone down from 19 to 9.

With the same workload.

- You have a tattoo. - I hate lots!

- What does it say? - This?

"I gave them life. They gave me a reason to live."

That's why I work as a cleaner.

If I didn't have kids, I wouldn't be a cleaner.

- Shut the door. - OK.

Everyone's scared of getting

into trouble. - You're all scared?

- How many years have you done this? - 27 years here.

What do you make?

With seniority, I make about 1,000 euros.

- What time do you get up? - At 4.30.

- Where do you live? - Argenteuil.

So, you take the bus?

I take a bus, the train, and the metro.

You must hide my face if you film me.

We just filmed your hands and François.

I've been arguing for 2 years with the Assembly's treasurer

that our cleaners should be paid minimum wage.

It's not much to ask.

It's a never-ending fight and there's no progress.

They say: "If you want to pay

above the legal minimum, it's delicate, legally speaking."

Really?

August 2...

Someone's at the door. It'd be good if it were a cleaner.

It's me again. And this is Jeannette.

- OK. - She wants to see you.

Has she gone?

Hello.

- Come on in. - Not my face!

- Take a seat. - Thank you.

Me, my sisters and my girlfriends

saw how you speak on TV.

They said: "We saw how your MP protects you cleaners."

I said: "Yes, it's true! It really is!"

That's why I came to say we support you.

If there are any questions,

I'm here to tell you the whole truth.

Everything you say is the truth. It's the reality.

But many of us don't want to answer or show up

because they're afraid they'll lose their jobs.

You're not afraid?

Well, I'm speaking out for all of us.

But if my job is taken away, I'll fight too.

Especially as I'm not considered well...

I just gave a speech in Parliament,

but we're going to table another bill.

OK.

- We'll try again... - You must.

You mustn't give up. We're still here.

No, I won't give up, but if people don't back us up,

if the cleaners aren't behind us...

If we give up, the bins will overflow!

- Have a good day. - You too.

Thanks for your courage.

Géraldine, I'm off to the commission, so I'm thinking of you.

Swipe card when the light is blue

I call for a vote

on the amended text.

All in favour? Thank you.

All those against?

- I am. - You are?

- Yes. - Oh, great!

That's a first!

His bill is adopted...

against his will!

Wait a minute! Don't make fun of me.

You said ironically

I voted against my own bill.

What did you just do?

Yeah, yeah! What did you just do?

You've completely gutted the bill.

I had 2 measures:

upgrade the pay for work done early in the morning and late at night.

You got rid of it.

Pay conditions inside companies are the same for subcontractors.

You got rid of it. You changed the title.

No more talk of supervision, subcontracting, and poor treatment!

And it's supposed to be my text?!

You've removed everything!

You act like Pontius Pilate! You leave it to collective bargaining

between unions and bosses who make no progress!

And you say it's my text and I should defend this absolute nonentity!

Yes, I am angry!

Because people will carry on getting up at 4 AM

to come here and be paid for 3 hours' work at 10 euros

and leave at 1 PM. And it'll carry on.

With all your fine words and intentions,

your ready-made formulas,

you let it carry on!

We'll break now until the next bill. Thank you.

You were expecting it.

Yeah, yeah...

It's one thing to expect it and another to see that litany of platitudes:

"We are aware..."

and "Things must improve..."

But they're just empty words. So, after a while, it gets to you.

We must also remember...

We must also remember that our country relies

on men and women that our economies recognize and pay so poorly.

We must give decent pay to these caring professions,

no doubt poorly paid because they are women.

For centuries, women

looked after children, the sick and elderly for free.

They're now poorly paid. Why should they complain?"

Yes, we need to find a solution for them to have a proper status.

I think we're good.

I think we can table it this week.

Tell me exactly how it works.

What do we actually do?

- Who must we tell? - It's virgin territory to you!

I admit I've never lodged a bill.

Whereas you're a regular at lodging bills that get rejected!

Let's play to win!

Beginner's luck!

Sent!

We'll see what happens.

Did you expect us to do that?

- Your first ever bill? - No.

No, I didn't. It's a big surprise.

But there's a reason for it. We've talked about it.

The reason is,

I had a life experience with my little boy

who was called Balthazar. He was severely handicapped.

He needed a lot of help.

Even though his mother and I gave him a lot of our time,

we had someone who helped out. We saw her working conditions.

I often talked to her.

- You had a home help? - Yes.

She was a Frenchwoman of Senegalese extraction.

Before she worked full-time for my son,

because he had a chronic genetic disease

which killed him. For 4 years, she looked after him full-time.

Her name was Alimatou. Alimatou was...

a homecare assistant, but she was part of our family.

In fact, when Balthazar died, she was there with us.

But she described her past living conditions.

All the errands the women we met would run,

the hardships, the pittance they get paid...

So, when this cause came along,

and you convinced me about caring professions

and made me understand, it was a learning curve for me.

A kind of Ruffin-esque conversion

towards the need to reassess these jobs and have them recognized.

I experienced it personally.

My solution as an entrepreneur was to hire someone and pay her.

But after 4 years, when my son passed away,

I tried to help her find jobs here and there.

She found herself in the same situation she was in before.

So, during this mission, you had Balthazar and Alimatou in your head?

Of course. Not just in my head but on my shoulder,

saying: "If it hadn't been for Alimatou, it would've been harder for you."

He's above my head,

whispering to me: "You should be more interested

in other things than business, capitalism, enterprise.

Take an interest in people." That got through to me in the end.

It's noisy.

It always is.

That's why the police stopped me last Friday.

The exhaust pipe isn't properly attached.

It's the big day. I woke up

at 5 AM!

- The stress. - Yes.

I didn't know what to wear.

I was told to wear a dress.

I thought about what would be most practical.

- I can't see the RTL Radio logo. - It's at the bottom.

The criticism we'll get is: If you pay them more, where'll the money come from?

I don't know if it's economically viable.

It's just common decency.

That's your thing, but you can't...

convince people unfortunately... I wish we could. I don't agree with it.

Not just on common decency.

Those days are over. Whatever happened to those people?

At last!

I nearly missed the train.

It was a race, but we made it.

All of us should get recognition nationwide.

All of us.

Are you optimistic about this bill?

Yes, we are. Well, I am.

We're hopeful.

- But not any time soon. - No.

Not with this government.

- We'll believe in 2022. - When they go!

We're outside.

Was "The Apprentice" here?

It was about the rivalry of employees.

It was all-out war. Now it's about mutual aid.

I guess Ruffin is contagious!

Will our ratings be better with mutual aid or war

and competitiveness!

Hello there.

- Everything OK? - Fine.

I was wondering what your baby would be like!

- Not a bad baby! - He's not out yet!

He's due at the Assembly today.

Can I have a mug please?

Next stop: Paris.

This morning, we have

the co-rapporteurs of the Caring Professions mission:

MPs Bruno Bonnell and François Ruffin.

Why are they badly paid?

Why is their situation so precarious?

Their workload is spread across the day, but they're paid piecemeal.

It's as if you journalists were only paid when you're on air.

They arrive in people's homes, they clock on,

- They make 800 euros? - Because of their workload.

800, 900, 1,000 euros.

Bruno Bonnell,

you ran a video games company.

Now you're an MP.

Care is looked down on.

So, the caring professions are looked down on.

- Are these people exploited? - Of course.

- The problem is... - Do you agree?

Our vocabulary is different. He says "exploited" - I say "forgotten".

François Ruffin, you want a national public service.

- Not you? - Same here.

- A public service? - Social utility.

There'll be a million jobs.

or will they make a pittance?

I'm more ambitious. I think it should be like healthcare:

nursing auxiliaries, nurses, etc. with careers

as they become more professional.

They could supervise and train others.

So, there's no reason to pay them minimum wage.

- But... - I'm the revolutionary!

I don't mind setting the bar high, but Macron is in charge!

- One-upmanship! - If they worked normal hours

and minimum wage at least, I'd be happy.

I feel like I've hired a super salesman!

He's a killer. He sells my product better than I do!

"Thanks, boss!"

Wait till it closes.

You have to take your ticket.

On the right.

We're not used to all this!

There's no metro in Amiens!

You can live without glory

It proves nothing

Being an unknown

And still be happy

But living without tenderness

There is just no way

No, no, no

There is just no way

What a sweet weakness What a nice feeling

The President of the Assembly is there.

It's a guided tour!

I'll talk about the spirit of the bill.

The big difference between Bruno and I...

I'm for a national public service of caring professions.

- You're for a national public service? - Yes.

- He's campaigning against me! - No.

You must excuse us.

No, we agree on the basics. The same rate should apply everywhere.

So, I'll say it again...

We're lodging a bill, tabling a report.

They're made to be buried and forgotten about.

So, after that... It's true!

- He's encouraging! - Look, I have 3 years' experience.

Not much but enough.

Unlike François, and not to be contrary,

I think our proposals are a bit optimistic,

but we must make some progress.

Anyway, if you're not behind us, fighting and pushing,

nothing will come of all this.

Thank you. It's just the start.

I join in these thanks.

- Join in the struggle! - Join in...

We need to be appreciated and have a real status.

- To be respected. - To be respected for what we do.

Our job is a profession.

Recognition of that leads to certain rights.

- So, that's all we're asking for. - Right.

- There's progress. - You didn't hear about us before.

- Now you do. - I believe in this fight.

It's not over yet, but we're talked about.

We're all going to get old,

so we'll all need home help.

So, our job is very important.

Simple!

That's all I have to say. It's true!

You can have the last word, Sabrina.

One more.

I'm presenting

a series of amendments with Bruno Bonnell.

Proposals from our report.

First, bereavement leave.

In favour: 22. Against: 88. Rejected.

We propose an hour a week for a discussion group.

In favour: 19. Against: 94. Rejected.

I propose tenure, lots more permanent contracts.

Against.

In the first year in the job, there must be qualifications.

Against.

In the education system, everyone should get minimum wage.

Are you against this amendment, Minister?

Let's move on

to no. 1967, Mr. Ruffin.

No. 1284 by Mr. Ruffin: 2 against.

Rejected

Mr. Ruffin for no. 1961.

"We must remember,"

said President Macron,

but now it's already forgotten in your budget.

Thank you.

It takes faith!

Rejected, rejected!

And Bonnell got Covid during the budget vote!

I had a single ally!

And he gets Covid!

No. 2706: who is in favour?

Against? Rejected.

2707: same.

2708: same.

2720: same.

Mr. Ruffin, you wish to speak?

Yes. Amendment 2744:

I propose inserting

the word "dignity" after "attractiveness".

I don't get many opportunities

in getting through one of my amendments

not to insist somewhat

because attractiveness and dignity aren't the same thing.

Attractiveness is the means, the end is dignity.

In favour: 128. Against: 0.

Adopted.

40 minutes. 210 degrees. Dumplings in Nantua sauce

which I prepared.

The sauce goes on the pike dumplings.

This is a little sausage.

Morel and pistachio.

So, the sausage is the starter?

Yes.

How about that?!

What's your verdict?

Well, it's not great.

We wanted to propose a bill

that would get these professions recognized and we failed.

I didn't manage to convince my colleagues

that it was necessary.

Without us, they wouldn't have mentioned

child minders, cleaning operatives, cleaning ladies,

and afterschool workers.

That whole world doesn't exist in the Assembly's budget.

I agree that the budget is a missed opportunity.

We could've spent another 20 billion. We could've said:

"Let's do this."

I have an idea.

I'm sick of your colleagues.

I mean, they just go "Rejected, rejected"

for hours on end. I'm fed up of it.

And they're sick of your amendments!

"We're sick of it! Never again!"

I want to change the Assembly.

And I thought:

"Wouldn't it good to have a women's assembly?"

- I dare you! - They're in charge.

Madam President...

I call the meeting to order.

I call on Assia Nouaour for the disabled pupil assistants.

Madam President,

dear colleagues...

We ask to be integrated into the National Education system

with real contracts, real training, and a better salary!

Dear President, dear colleagues...

Sandie Tavernier, MP.

Despite a permanent contract, I work 21 hours a week

and I earn 680 euros per month.

How can we make plans for the future with such a salary?

I want to continue my job, but with 750 euros a month

and 2 children to support, it's impossible.

Times are hard...

I have to sell my house because I can't make my ends meet.

- Us parents of disabled kids need you. - I know.

You are essential to us

so I can go out to work, do my job

and help others too. He can cope better now

thanks to the strength you gave him.

So, I mean it, keep it up

so things really change for everyone.

I'm an auxiliary facilitator.

My fixed-term contract is renewed every 2 months.

Before that, I had a temporary contract for 10 years. Imagine that!

That was why I quit my studies

because I'd get calls in class:

"Can you work tonight? A member of staff is absent."

You accept, you leave the class and go to work.

At 29, I can't consider starting a family.

I've been with my partner for 13 years.

I'd like to add that I have multiple sclerosis,

a very serious, disabling disease and despite all that,

I'm still determined to go to work...

because I love my job, the kids, the parents, and all I do.

So, I have to be strong.

Hello, Madam President, dear colleagues.

I've worked at the National Assembly

for 25 years.

Some of my colleagues started 25, 28 years ago.

We've been there for many years.

We're not entitled

to an end-of-year bonus or anything.

People think you're lucky to work at the Parliament.

They do! But we don't make a living, Pres... Prime Minister...

We don't make a living.

We make minimum wage. Very little! Less than that.

Thank you, sir.

Like this? Madam President,

hello and good evening.

Let me introduce myself. My name is Salimata Fofana.

I live outside Paris.

These are my work colleagues.

We do the same job. I take the train

at 5.09 AM, but I get up at 4.

I've been doing this since '93, Madam! '93!

Today, as I get older,

the job weighs on me.

It weighs on me. I'm tired

of having to get up at 4 AM.

Some days, you don't feel like it, but you have no choice.

You have to do it.

Why? To protect your back.

You don't look forward anymore.

That's why, ma'am...

First Lady... Let me tell you, First Lady,

it's thanks to my fiancé here!

The man who is here today means everything to me, Salimata Fofana!

What's his name?

François! It's thanks to Mr. François

that I'm in Parliament today.

I'm so proud.

I thought I'd die before I came in here.

Many of us retired without ever coming in here.

Long live women! Long live cleaners!

Rise up, women!

Rise up, women!

Rise up! Rise up!

Thank you.

Silence, please.

Thank you.

Silence, dear colleagues.

We will review the proposed legislation on Caring Professions.

This amendment calls for real training

to assist disabled pupils.

This amendment calls for,

quite simply, reasonable hours and a decent salary.

This amendment

calls for

an end-of-year bonus for all the nation's cleaners.

We must all stand together. Women, rise up!

We who have no past, women

We who have no history

Since the beginning of time, women

We are the dark continent

Let us rise up, slave women

And break our shackles

Rise up!

Rise up!

Alone in our misfortune, women

Ignored by one another

They have divided us, women

And from our sisters, separated

Let us rise up, women slaves

And break our shackles

Rise up!

Rise up!

The time of anger, women

Our time has come!

Know our strength, women

Discover us in our thousands

Let us rise up, women slaves

And break our shackles

Rise up!

Rise up!

Let's recognize us women

Let's talk and look at each other

Together we are oppressed

Together, let's revolt!

Let us rise up, women slaves

And break our shackles

Rise up!

Rise up!

Rise up!