jane56

I had a friend who used to come over three or four times a week and help me with the renovation of my house. I did not pay him , but used to give him free meals and sometimes buy his groceries on the shop account. Just over a year ago we had a bad falling out and I hadn't heard anything from him until today when a letter arrived. It was from the conseil de prud'hommes  on his behalf. What he is claiming is that I was employing him for those nine months, full time, and have not paid him! He is also claiming three months extra for "rupture abusive" efectivly in lieu of notice, one month extra for "procedure irregulier" and one month for "indemnite de preavis" - I'm not sure what this last one is. Needless to say he never had a contract of employment, he was supposed to be helping me as a friend. He maybe helped me three or four times in the shop, most of the work was done there by the time I meet him, it was my private appartment he helped me with. I doubt he was over at my place for 35 hours a week and quite a lot of that time was spent chating, relaxing or eating. There is absolutly no way I could have afforded to employ him, my business barely makes enough for me to survive on - about €6000 a year and the amount he is claiming is almost three times that, plus I'm guessing I'm also going to be liable  for his cotisations as well! I guess I'm going to need an advocate, is there an equivalent of legal aid for people on low incomes in France? Jane

Thanks,m found it now!

Hi Excuse the delay in replying, but have had a sick relative in the UK . Ah, I didn’t realize that was the procedure,  Last time I went straight to CPAM but that was two or three years ago before I started the business.   I’ve looked over the RAM national and Ram de Bretange sites for the forms to download like you suggest and can’t see them – can you give me a direct link? Unfortunately the nearest RAM office is in the next Dept about 100km away.   I did see something that said if you where on low income they may refund your contributions, has anybody used this or know the details?   Thanks   Jane

I've just found this on another forum and think is So useful. On the top right of www.grumpyoldgitsinfrance.com they have search that looks in all the french forums and the like so you can find things wherever they where posted. It's done through Google somehow and looks just like a normal Google page. Very handy if you are like me and keep seeing useful things but cannot remember where! Jane

Am I right in thinking that these changes should not affect one right to CMU complimentre cover if you are working but on a low income? I run my own small buissness and am inscribed with RAM but I used to get the CMU complimentre as my income was less than around 7500€ - I live cheaply! I've just discovered this expired  at the end of May and on visiting my local CPAM I got a very unhelpful functionare who basicly said that  "it's all changed,  you English  must arange your own cover now" Is she confusing this with the withdrawal of CMU primary cover or has this changed as well? Jane