Social Affairs Committee (French National Assembly)

The Social Affairs Committee ( Commission des Affaires sociales ) is one of the eight permanent committees of the French National Assembly. Its primary responsibility is to examine and scrutinize proposed legislation and government actions related to social policy, including but not limited to:

• Labor Law: Legislation concerning employment contracts, working conditions, employee rights, and industrial relations.
• Social Security: Matters related to pensions, healthcare, unemployment benefits, and family allowances.
• Public Health: Issues concerning the organization and funding of the healthcare system, public health policies, and access to care.
• Social Welfare: Policies related to poverty reduction, social inclusion, housing assistance, and support for vulnerable populations.
• Family Policy: Legislation pertaining to family law, childcare, parental leave, and support for families.
• Disability Policy: Laws and regulations concerning the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities.
• Aging and Elderly Care: Policies addressing the needs of the elderly population, including long-term care and retirement issues.

The Committee's work involves studying proposed laws ( propositions de loi submitted by deputies and projets de loi submitted by the government), conducting hearings with relevant stakeholders (e.g., government officials, experts, interest groups), and drafting reports with amendments and recommendations. These reports are then presented to the National Assembly for debate and voting.

The Social Affairs Committee plays a significant role in shaping French social policy and holding the government accountable for its actions in this area. Its membership reflects the political composition of the National Assembly. The committee is headed by a president, who is elected by the members of the committee.