On January 25, the French NGO ReAct published McProfits, a new report showing how McDonald’s takes advantage of the French government’s employment incentives and tax credit schemes to increase its profits while doing little to protect its workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic.
McProfits highlights how:
*McDonald’s dividends in 2021 are expected to reach an all-time high of approximately 3.8 Billion USD, while the company continues to receive state aid and tax credits
*McDonald’s saved an estimated 290 to 400 million EUR over the 2013-2018 period via French subsidies for job creation, while the number of jobs created at McDonald’s was low
*As profits soar, workers at McDonald’s have in numerous cases been forced to work on the frontlines of the pandemic under unsatisfactory health and safety conditions and for poverty wages
In the report’s recommendations, ReAct calls on “McDonald’s Corporation, McDonald’s France, and their French operators to: Redirect a portion of the significant profits generated in France to improve the pay and benefits of those that wear the McDonald’s uniform in France, instead of extracting profits for the sole benefit of shareholders.”
