It probably wasn't an auspicious day to have an appointment at the ANPE (job centre) for CC.
We arrived, a little out of breath, a couple of minutes after 9 o'clock and had to wait about ten minutes before a pleasant young lady came to greet us and lead the way to her office.
She went through the paperwork we had been given by ASSEDIC (where you have to 'sign on' as being umemployed) and then asked more questions about qualifications and past experience. After much playing with the computer she came up with the obvious - there were no vacancies in any areas of interest to CC, even if her French were at a suitable level.
On the other hand, she gave us a paper which has to be given to someone else (another appointment) so that she can have free French lessons. She explained the system whereby you have to contact ASSEDIC every month by phone or internet to say how many hours work you have found. Failure to report results in the withdrawal of your 'subscription' to the unemployment register.
As far as the immediate future goes she suggested looking for temporary employment in the tourist industry (in Charleville??!!) or taking on students for private English lessons provided payment was by 'cheque d'emploi service universelle'. This means that the 'employer' has to order a special cheque book with a form after each cheque which has to be filled in and sent off (envelopes provided) every time a payment is made. Then, about a month later, employer and employee each receive a paper documenting the amount to be deducted (from the employer's bank account) for the equivalent of National Insurance etc.)
No wonder so many French people prefer to work and employ 'on the black'.
On the whole, you could say that we spent an hour and a half getting nowhere at ANPE and CC was very late for her French course. By the time she arrived the teacher had given out worksheets and disappeared to drink coffee in the staffroom. CC waited half an hour but when she didn't turn up she gave up in disgust and we met for a coffee.
Friday is never a good day to tackle the CPAM (Health Office) as the weekend seems to start by late morning for most of the people who work there.
Let's hope we develop a more positive attitude ready for another assault on French Bureaucracy next week.
