Youth justice workers in France are protesting against budget cuts that threaten to reduce the number of educators available to support young people.

The Protection Judiciaire de la Jeunesse (PJJ) faces a budget reduction of up to 1.8 million euros, potentially leading to the loss of 500 contractual positions.

This reduction could leave around 1,500 young people in the Île-de-France region without necessary educational support.

Educators express concern that these cuts will compromise their ability to build trust and guide at-risk youth, potentially leaving them without the support needed to reintegrate into society.

The unions, including SNPES, CGT, and CFDT, have called for a strike to oppose what they describe as an unprecedented social plan.

Despite an increase in the PJJ's budget since 2020, the organization is struggling to manage its payroll effectively, leading to these controversial measures.