Legal access to work for people without residence permits : VoxPublic supports the Fédération de l’Entraide Protestante in its advocacy campaign

Background

The Fédération de l’Entraide Protestante (FEP) brings together 370 associations and foundations working in the social, medico-social and health sectors. Its aim is to fight all forms of violation of human dignity, in pursuit of a fairer and more inclusive society. For the FEP, “poverty and precariousness, unemployment, loneliness, exclusion and many forms of suffering are not inevitable”.

Shared visions

The FEP and VoxPublic share a common vision and values centred on fighting all forms of precariousness and exclusion, and promoting hospitality, inclusion, the right to healthcare and mutual support. This partnership aims to support the FEP in launching and monitoring its advocacy campaign among decisions-makers, in favour of legal access to employment for undocumented foreign worker.

The partnership’s objectives

The campaign was built on the very positive results of pilot schemes carried out in two regions : more direct channels of communication have been established with the relevant authorities, facilitating the processing of applications for regularisation through work for people in an irregular situation. Today, the FEP is building its advocacy work around these findings by involving those most directly affected – undocumented workers – as well as stakeholders from the business, voluntary and employment sectors. Participatory committees have thus emerged across the regions. A policy brief, a list of recommendations and an advocacy strategy have already been developed.

The FEP wishes to submit its recommendations to the Members of the National Assembly and Members of the Senate (the French parliamentary chambers), and the relevant government departments. FEP wants to bring about a change to the current legal framework to facilitate the regularisation of undocumented foreign people through employment.

Action Plan

To enable key decision-makers to be engaged and to respond, VoxPublic is committed to supporting the FEP in :

• Identifying and engaging key political figures (representatives, local councillors) in order to prioritise strategic contacts.

• Developing and disseminating clear messages and proposals, using language tailored to each type of decision-maker, to enhance understanding and build support.

• Sharing information, best practices and recommendations to facilitate collaboration with civil society actors (NGOs, trade unions, etc.) and to promote the campaign.

• Identifying a strategic timeline to plan actions and maximise their impact.

Timetable

This partnership covers the period from January to July 2026. This six-month period is provisional and may be extended in the run-up to the 2027 presidential and parliamentary elections, building on the methods, tools and momentum established during this initial phase.

Website : https://fep.asso.fr/