CUI-CIE, subsidised contract in the market sector

The CUI-CIE is a subsidised contract reserved for employers in the market sector. It is the market sector's version of the « contrat unique d'insertion » (CUI) (article L.5134-65 et seq. of the French Labour Code). It has been in force since 1 January 2010.

The employment contract associated with an individual CUI-CIE agreement is a private law employment contract, either fixed-term or open-ended. The duration of the contract may not be less than 6 months (except in the case of people benefiting from a reduced sentence, where the contract may be concluded for a period of 3 months).

The maximum duration is 24 months, including renewals, but there are exceptions, in particular 5 years for employees aged 50 or over who receive minimum welfare benefits (RSA, ASS, ATA or AAH), or who are recognised as disabled workers. The weekly working time must not be less than 20 hours, unless an exception is justified by the integration difficulties of the person hired.

The decision to award employment subsidy is taken :

• either, on behalf of the State, by France Travail, local missions or Cap Emploi ;
• or by the President of the General Council when this assistance concerns an RSA beneficiary financed by the department; the President of the General Council may delegate all or part of this allocation decision to France Travail or to any other body that he/she designates for this purpose.

Employers receive employment subsidy for recruitment, fixed as a percentage of the gross hourly wage. The number of CUI-CIE contracts is set annually by the public authorities.

The profile of beneficiaries has changed over time. Between 1 January 2018 and 31 July 2020, the CUI-CIE was authorised only in overseas departments and regions (Drom), in certain experimental territories, or by departmental councils under annual agreements on objectives and resources (CAOM).

Since 1 August 2020, the CUI-CIE has also been available to young people under the age of 26 (or under the age of 31 if they are disabled).

The CUI-CIE succeeds the Employment Initiative Contract (CIE) in the market sector.