There is no denying the importance of the offical figures published on March 13. The French economy shed close to 100,000 jobs in the secondary and tertiary sectors in 2012. According to the national statistics institute INSEE, the trend is set to continue with 75,000 jobs set to disappear in 2013.

The temporary work sector was the worst affected, losing 61,000 jobs, ahead of industrial sector, which axed 29,400 jobs, and construction, where there were 13,800 job losses.

The level of employment in the service sector remained stable, but it did not create any new jobs and now appears to be on the verge of decline.