As part of its continuing work on the government’s immigration bill, the Senate’s Law Committee has adopted an amendment that doubles administrative fines on companies knowingly employing undocumented migrants. Penalties would rise to €30 000 per worker and could include a five-year ban on public contracts.
Committee rapporteur François-Noël Buffet said the measure “restores fairness for compliant employers and closes a major pull factor for illegal immigration”. Employer federations, however, warned that the provision, combined with planned workplace-inspection squads funded in the 2026 budget, risks creating a climate of “permanent suspicion” in sectors already suffering labour shortages, such as construction and hospitality.
![Senate committee backs tougher fines for firms hiring undocumented workers]()
The amendment also instructs prefectures to cross-check labour-inspection findings against visa and residence-permit databases, potentially speeding enforcement. Mobility teams placing third-country nationals through service-providers should audit their vendors’ HR files, as liability can extend to the contracting chain.
The full Senate will vote on the package on 10 December; if approved, it heads to the Assemblée Nationale the following week.
Committee rapporteur François-Noël Buffet said the measure “restores fairness for compliant employers and closes a major pull factor for illegal immigration”. Employer federations, however, warned that the provision, combined with planned workplace-inspection squads funded in the 2026 budget, risks creating a climate of “permanent suspicion” in sectors already suffering labour shortages, such as construction and hospitality.
The amendment also instructs prefectures to cross-check labour-inspection findings against visa and residence-permit databases, potentially speeding enforcement. Mobility teams placing third-country nationals through service-providers should audit their vendors’ HR files, as liability can extend to the contracting chain.
The full Senate will vote on the package on 10 December; if approved, it heads to the Assemblée Nationale the following week.
