Saône-et-Loire. “There are still too many entrepreneurs who forget themselves.”

In 2024, how many business leaders lost their jobs in Saône-et-Loire?

"Figures from the Entrepreneur Employment Observatory reveal that in 2024 in Saône-et-Loire, 429 entrepreneurs found themselves unemployed, an increase of 20.5% compared to 2023. That's more than one business owner or manager who loses their job every day. More than three-quarters were at the head of an SME or a VSE. They were at the head of a structure that was often weakened, no longer able to cover their payroll, sometimes having tax or social security debts, struggling to secure new contracts... Very often, the saving variable is their salary, which they no longer pay themselves, also dipping into their personal savings to replenish their company's accounts. If they are not supported, as by our association, they can very quickly find themselves facing major difficulties."

What is the GSC association? How do you protect entrepreneurs?

"The Social Guarantee for Business Leaders (GSC) is an insurance policy designed for self-employed workers to protect them in the event of involuntary job loss. It offers monthly benefits based on previous income, as well as personalized support to facilitate a return to work. In the event of liquidation or dismissal, the business owner or manager can, by taking out this type of private insurance, receive 80% of their income for 18 months, which will allow them to bounce back. For example, for a 49-year-old entrepreneur earning an average income of €40,000, by taking out monthly insurance at €90, they could have an income of €25,000 over 12 months. There are still too many entrepreneurs who forget themselves."

Which companies are most vulnerable, and why?

"In Bourgogne Franche-Comté, the construction sector is the hardest hit due to rising material prices and the real estate crisis: 542 business leaders in the greater region lost their jobs in 2024, particularly in the construction sector. Wholesale trade, particularly hypermarkets, is also one of the hardest-hit sectors, with a 50% increase in job losses compared to 2023. The cause is inflation. We're not talking about CAC 40 bosses here, but rather people running very small businesses, often with fewer than three employees."