Party Seeks Legal Status for Up to 400,000 Undocumented Workers

France’s Socialist Party has introduced a bill seeking to grant legal residency to between 300,000 and 400,000 undocumented migrant workers already employed in the country.

The proposed legislation, scheduled for debate and a vote in the National Assembly on November 19, 2026, seeks to address labour shortages in sectors including construction, agriculture, hospitality, manufacturing and home care.

Under the proposal, applicants would be required to provide evidence of at least six months of continuous employment in France.

Supporters of the bill argue that regularising undocumented workers would protect them from exploitation, increase tax revenues and help businesses struggling to recruit staff.

However, the proposal faces opposition from right-wing and far-right lawmakers, who contend that large-scale regularisation could encourage irregular migration and weaken existing immigration controls.

The outcome of the parliamentary vote will determine whether the proposed pathway to legal residency can proceed.