The local council in Castres had lots of small jobs needing to be done, but council employees or contractors would be too expensive (or unwilling to undertake small jobs), so they came up with a novel solution. Local youngsters were asked if they would do 3 hours work for 20 euros. Over 100 youths applied, mainly from the lycées. Each volunteer is allowed to do three sessions, mainly on Wednesday afternoons. The work is supervised by council staff and the kids are paid cash pocket money. Somehow it seems very un-French (how many asked "what about insurance?") and the cynic in us is waiting for a union to object and call a strike. Good for Castres and its enterprising kids.
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| Learning skills for argent de poche |
