How many jobs will actually be created?

The Carrefour shopping center and supermarket project planned for Maharepa is regularly presented as a job-creating project, with the announcement of 98 new positions. This argument is central to justifying its implementation.

However, when we examine the figures closely and compare public statements with official documents, a very different reality emerges.

An announcement of 98 jobs that needs clarification

At a public meeting held on December 2, 2021, in Teavaro, project representatives mentioned the creation of 98 jobs, broken down as follows:

56 people for the grocery store (29 full-time and 27 part-time)
7 people for cleaning and security, subcontracted
35 people for the shops in the mall

Presented in this way, the figure seems significant. But it adds up very different realities.

What the project documents actually say

The study report attached to the building permit application indicates a declared workforce of 49 employees for an establishment capable of accommodating more than 1,100 people at a time (supermarket, mall, pharmacy, medical office).

Furthermore:

The 35 jobs in the shopping mall are not jobs created by the project developer. They will depend on potential tenant retailers, who will recruit (or not) according to their business activity.
The 7 security and cleaning positions will be outsourced and therefore not included in the site’s staff.

👉 In reality, the project therefore relies on a maximum of 56 direct jobs for the supermarket, and potentially fewer depending on the organization chosen.

So, 56 jobs reserved for Moorea residents? Not quite…

When asked about job security for Moorea residents, the response was: “Yes, except for management positions.” However, no figures were provided on the number of management positions concerned.

This lack of transparency raises questions. Without a commitment in terms of numbers, there is no guarantee that the jobs created will primarily benefit the local population, nor that they will compensate for the job losses in other small businesses already operating in the surrounding area.

A real risk to existing jobs

In 2021, the four main food stores in Paopao alone accounted for around 100 jobs. These businesses have been supporting families for several decades in some cases.

The arrival of a dominant player such as Carrefour in a limited island market could weaken these businesses and lead to: