French state-subsidised furloughs to cost more than 20 bln euros - minister

France's state-subsidized furlough program will cost more than 20 billion euros ($21.73 billion), Labour Minister Muriel Penicaud said on Thursday.

Penicaud said 628,000 companies and associations had put nearly 7 million workers on furlough under the program, which allows firms to be reimbursed by the state for up to 84% of workers' wages.

"The cost for the state and (the state-backed unemployment fund) Unedic ... I think it will be more than 20 billion euros," Penicaud said on BFM TV. ($1 = 0.9205 euros)