France
Background information on industrial relations in France
- 09 Dec 2003
France: CFE-CGC holds 32nd congress<#PDF_LINK>At its 32nd congress in November 2003, France's CFE-CGC trade union confederation, which represents managerial and professional staff, discussed a medium-term strategy based on a new industrial relations modeland added value trade unionism. Jean-Luc Cazettes and Jean-Louis Walter were re-elected as president and general secretary.
- 09 Dec 2003
France: Five-year agreement reached on supplementary pensions<#PDF_LINK>In November 2003, French employers' associations and most trade union confederations reached an agreement on the ARRCO and AGIRC supplementary pensions schemes. This five-year agreement maintains provisions enabling retirement with a supplementary pension from the age of 60, transcribes a number of provisions contained in a recent pension reform law, and takes action to balance the budget.
- 09 Dec 2003
France: Retirement before 60 introduced for people with long working lives<#PDF_LINK>In October 2003, the French government issued a decree stipulating the criteria for a new scheme enabling people with long working lives to retire before the age of 60, as promised in a recent pension reform law. These criteria are quite restrictive and limit the number of people who will potentially benefit from this measure. Nevertheless, 460,000 people should be eligible between 2004 and 2008.
- 03 Dec 2003
France: Restructuring under debate<#PDF_LINK>In November 2003, the French social partners are engaged in difficult intersectoral negotiations over social measures to accompany corporate restructuring, while the government is preparing new measures in this area and changes to the law on collective redundancies. Relations between the social partners have been strained by the proposals of the MEDEF employers' organisation on restructuring and by recommendations made in an official report.
- 01 Dec 2003
France: Agreement signed on continuing vocational training<#PDF_LINK>In September 2003, the French social partners signed a national intersectoral agreement on employees’ lifelong access to training, thus ending negotiations which began in 2000. The accord provides for the creation of a new individual right to continuing vocational training and an increase in the financial contribution paid by employers. The agreement is particularly notable because it was signed by CGT, a trade union confederation that had not previously signed an intersectoral agreement since 1995.
- 01 Dec 2003
France: Sickness insurance reform postponed<#PDF_LINK>France's jointly-managed sickness insurance fund is due to post a deficit of approximately EUR 11 billion in 2003. In September 2003, the government stated that a reform of the system, originally planned for autumn 2003, will be postponed for a year. In the meantime, the government has announced a series of measure aimed at stabilising the deficit at around EUR 10 billion in 2004. While the trade unions greeted the prospect of a year-long discussion and negotiation process over the reform rather circumspectly, they have all been critical of the money-saving initiatives unveiled for 2004.
- 01 Dec 2003
France: Survey examines working conditions in civil service<#PDF_LINK>The findings of a survey conducted by the Ministry of Social Affairs, Labour and Solidarity into working conditions in the French civil service, published in October 2003, challenges many widely-held ideas about public employment and the difference between it and the private sector. Working conditions in the civil service are neither better nor worse than in the private sector, the research suggests. In terms of individual occupations, however, there are disparities between the private and public sectors, and they highlight the specific nature of the services provided by civil servants.
- 19 Nov 2003
France: Thematic feature - social partner involvement in the 2003 NAP<#PDF_LINK>This article examines social partner involvement in the preparation of France’s 2003 National Action Plan for employment drawn up in response to the EU Employment Guidelines.
- 13 Nov 2003
France: 2001 works council election results published<#PDF_LINK>The results of France's 2001 works council elections were published in October 2003. Turn-out fell slightly and there was another drop in support for non-union slates of candidates. In the context of a high level of stability in support for the various unions, CGT, CGT-FO andother unionseach saw their share of the vote rise by around 1% in 2001, compared with 1999.
- 13 Nov 2003
France: Government proposes collective bargaining reform<#PDF_LINK>In December 2003, the French parliament is due to debate a social dialogue bill submitted by the government, which lays down new rules for collective bargaining. It proposes the introduction of amajority principlefor the signature of collective agreements, an extension of the scope of collective bargaining compared with that of the law, and allowing company agreements to depart from the terms of sectoral accords. The social partners have criticised the bill, for differing reasons.
- 29 Oct 2003
France: Thematic feature - works councils and other workplace employee representation and participation structures<#PDF_LINK>This article examines the French situation, as of September 2003, with regard to works councils and similar workplace employee representation and participation structures. It looks at the regulatory framework, statistical data, evidence on practice and the views of the social partners.
- 22 Oct 2003
France: Alstom rescue plan agreed<#PDF_LINK>In September 2003, following difficult negotiations, the European Commission approved a rescue plan for Alstom, the troubled engineering group, put together by the French authorities and banks. The plan adopted has not fully assuaged anxieties expressed by trade unions represented at the group.
- 22 Oct 2003
France: Unemployment allowance entitlement to be cut<#PDF_LINK>In September 2003, the French government announced a cut in the entitlement period for thespecific solidarity allowance(ASS) paid to unemployed people who are no longer eligible for unemployment benefit. The move has been opposed by trade unions and the political opposition.
- 22 Oct 2003
France: Civil service trade unions meet Minister<#PDF_LINK>The French Minister for the Civil Service met with civil servants' trade unions in September 2003. He proposed the creation of a civil service pay observatory, the holding of aconference on pay, and the introduction of performance-related pay. The unions reacted negatively to the last of these proposals.
- 25 Sep 2003
France: Collective bargaining in 2002 examined<#PDF_LINK>The Ministry of Labour's report on collective bargaining in France in 2002, published in June 2003, finds that there was general stability in the number of agreements concluded. There was a slight increase in the amount of intersectoral bargaining, while a rise in the number of national-level sectoral agreements was offset by a decline in sectoral bargaining at subnational level. With regard to company-level bargaining, changes in the data-collection methods make comparison with previous years virtually impossible.
- 25 Sep 2003
France: Pension reform adopted<#PDF_LINK>A major law on pension reform was finally passed by the French parliament on 24 July 2003, after lengthy debate in both houses. Although the majority of the government's bill - which included changes agreed with a number of trade unions - was retained, many amendments were made. Opposition to the law remains strong among unions and the political opposition.
- 25 Sep 2003
France: Unemployment rises as economy stagnates<#PDF_LINK>In autumn 2003, an economic downturn has led to stagnation in the French labour market and an upswing in unemployment, which is nearing 10%. Job losses are increasing as bankruptcies and redundancy plans become commonplace throughout much of the economy, with some regions particularly hard hit.
- 11 Sep 2003
France: Thematic feature - implementation of the EU framework equal treatment Directive<#PDF_LINK>This article examines the French situation, as of August 2003, with regard to the implementation and impact of the 2000 EU Directive establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation, which seeks to combat discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief, disability, age and sexual orientation.
- 14 Aug 2003
France: Alstom restructuring continues<#PDF_LINK>In March 2003, Alstom, the French-based engineering multinational, announced a major Europe-wide restructuring plan which includes major cuts in its activities and 5,000 job losses. In July, management obtained shareholders' approval for an increase in capital as part of the plan, while employees from across Europe demonstrated in protest against the workforce reductions. The French government is intervening to support Alstom’s activity, enable the sale of assets and allow partnerships to be formed.
- 14 Aug 2003
France: Progress towards national agreement on vocational training<#PDF_LINK>After a difficult start, negotiations between the social partners on reform of the French vocational training system led in July 2003 to consensus on the basic points of an agreement on the issue. However, there are still differences over the division of training costs between employers and employees and on the possibility of training outside working hours. The negotiators were to meet again in early September 2003 to finalise an agreement.
- 13 Aug 2003
France: Refuse collection workers take strike action<#PDF_LINK>A refuse collection strike affected a large number of French cities over May and June 2003. The industrial action, mainly concerning public sector workers but also some employees of private companies, partly overlapped with the national wave of protests over the government's reform of the pension system, but also reflected existing problems in the sector. The major demands involved wage and staffing increases and a lower retirement age, at a time when workers in this industry are facing particularly difficult working conditions in the context of increasingly demanding public policies.
- 12 Aug 2003
France: Controversial agreement signed on entertainment industry unemployment insurance scheme<#PDF_LINK>In June 2003, employers' organisations and three trade unions reached a new agreement on France's special unemployment insurance scheme for workers employed sporadically on fixed-term contracts in the entertainment industry. The deal imposes stricter entitlement criteria and reduces the benefit payment period. It was met with major protest action by the employees affected and the non-signatory unions. Parts of the agreement were renegotiated in July following an appeal by the Minister of Culture. However, the protests intensified, eventually resulting in the cancellation of two major summer arts festivals.
- 12 Aug 2003
France: Controversy over compensation for victims of asbestos<#PDF_LINK>Compensation for people suffering illness as a result of asbestos exposure at work has been in the headlines in 2003, with disagreement over the level of compensation to be paid by a newly created Fund for the Compensation of Asbestos Victims (FIVA). The Fund aims to provide full compensation to asbestos victims, following an asbestos-related early retirement scheme introduced in 1999. In 2003 it adopted a scale of compensation payments much lower than awards made by the courts, bringing protests from trade unions and victims' organisations.
- 04 Aug 2003
France: Thematic feature - posted workers<#PDF_LINK>This article examines the French situation, as of June 2003, with regard to: legislation and collective bargaining on the pay and conditions of posted workers (ie workers from one EU Member State posted by their employer to work in another); the number of such posted workers; and the views of the social partners and government on the issue.
- 10 Jul 2003
France: 'Methods agreement' signed on GIAT restructuring<#PDF_LINK>In May 2003, amethods agreementwas signed between trade unions and management at GIAT Industries, the French arms manufacturer. The agreement sets out a procedure and timetable for consultations over a major restructuring plan involving large-scale job losses which the company announced in April. In line with this procedure, a draftcompany contract, outlining the state's commitments and GIAT's plans for the 2003-8 period, was presented in June and criticised by the unions.
- 10 Jul 2003
France: Impact of unemployment insurance reform becomes clearer<#PDF_LINK>A reform of France'sUNEDICunemployment insurance scheme agreed by employers' organisations and three trade union confederations in December 2002 will substantially restrict unemployment benefit entitlements when new eligibility rules come into force on 1 January 2004. In mid-2003, UNEDIC issued figures indicating that cuts in entitlement will affect between 610,000 and 860,000 people currently in receipt of benefit. These figures have fuelled new criticism from the union confederations (CGT and CGT-FO), which did not sign the reform agreement.
- 10 Jul 2003
France: Air Lib controversy rumbles on<#PDF_LINK>In summer 2003, attempts are continuing to redeploy the 3,200 employees of the French airline, Air Lib, which went into liquidation in February. Meanwhile, the legal authorities and parliament have both been conducting investigations into the circumstances surrounding the takeover and subsequent bankruptcy of the company .
- 26 Jun 2003
France: Government proposes reform and decentralisation of 'minimum integration income' scheme<#PDF_LINK>The French government is due to propose legislation after the summer 2003 parliamentary recess reforming theminimum integration income(RMI) benefit and assistance scheme for people facing labour market difficulties. Much of the responsibility for the scheme is to be decentralised to local level, while a new form of employment contract - theminimum employment incomecontract - will be introduced for people who have been receiving RMI for two years.
- 26 Jun 2003
France: Latest developments in pension reform<#PDF_LINK>The French government was forced to amend its controversial proposals on pension reform by wide-scale strike action and demonstrations organised in protest on 13 May 2003. Following talks with the social partners, it revised the plan - though not the key point of increasing the contribution period required for a full pension - on the basis of a deal agreed by two trade union confederations, CFDT and CFE-CGC. The talks thus led to a split in the united trade union front on the issue, and unions opposed to the planned reform have called more protest action. Parliamentary debate on the bill began in June and is expected to to be completed in July.
- 26 Jun 2003
France: Reform of sickness insurance announced<#PDF_LINK>In summer 2003, France's Minister of Health announced that a reform of the sickness insurance system is to be presented in the autumn. While an increasing deficit posted by the sickness insurance funds has made this overhaul necessary, industrial relations tensions in the healthcare sector suggest that implementation may be problematic. The details of the reform are as yet unknown, but the major thrust appears to be a reduction in compulsory sickness insurance cover and the creation of specific measures for lower-income people.
- 25 Jun 2003
France: Government announces family policy reforms<#PDF_LINK>At the annual Conference on the Family held at the end of April 2003, the French government announced a number of new family policy measures. Notably it is to introduce in 2004 a new benefit for parents of young children, replacing a number of existing schemes. The reaction of the social partners has been mixed.
- 24 Jun 2003
France: Industrial action continues in state education sector<#PDF_LINK>Since autumn 2002, trade unions representing staff employed in the French state education system have been taking industrial action in opposition to the government’s planned reforms in areas including pensions, decentralisation and budget cuts. After an 11th day of strike action and protests on 10 June 2003, the government made some progress in placating the unions. Whatever the outcome of this dispute, it is probable that the discontent among teachers, who have been highly mobilised for months, will be enduring.
- 12 Jun 2003
France: Alstom announces Europe-wide restructuring<#PDF_LINK>In spring 2003, Alstom, the French-based engineering multinational, announced a major Europe-wide restructuring plan which includes stringent cuts in its activities. The group may be selling off its shipbuilding division and announced job losses in its power and transport infrastructure divisions at various works council meetings in April, May and June. There have been fierce reactions from trade unions in France, while the Alstom European Works Council has brought a court case.
- 21 May 2003
France: Government's pension reform takes shape<#PDF_LINK>In May 2003, the French government issued a draft bill on pension reform. It provides for a series of concrete measures with an impact on the general state pension scheme, the civil servants’ schemes and those for the self-employed. The proposals include measures to lengthen working lives and contribution periods, and to introduce greater flexibility and freedom of choice for workers. The draft bill has provoked fierce responses from trade unions, which called a day of national mobilisation on 13 May.
- 21 May 2003
France: New legislation and policy on work-related hazards and illnesses<#PDF_LINK>In May 2003, new legislation on technology-related hazards is awaiting adoption in the French parliament, which includes measures to regulate more effectively high-risk companies and boost the role of workplace health and safety committees. At the same time, the Higher Council for the Prevention of Occupational Risks has recently agreed the guidelines for policy on industrial illness and accident prevention over 2003-6.
- 15 May 2003
France: GIAT Industries restructuring plan challenged<#PDF_LINK>In April 2003, GIAT Industries, the French arms manufacturer, announced a drastic restructuring plan involving major job losses, after having recorded losses for several years. Vigorous protests by trade unions, employees and local politicians led to the opening of talks on anagreement on methodsfor consultation over the restructuring, which would temporarily suspend the plan’s implementation.
- 15 May 2003
France: CGT holds 47th congress<#PDF_LINK>The General Confederation of Labour (CGT), one of France's main trade union confederations, held its 47th confederal congress in March 2003. Key issues discussed at the congress included the government's pension reform plans and CGT's links with the Communist Party, while major changes were made to the size and composition of the confederation's decision-making bodies.
- 30 Apr 2003
France: Studies highlight various aspects of gender inequality<#PDF_LINK>Four studies published in the first quarter of 2003 highlight various areas of persistent gender inequality in work and family life in France. They examine: the impact of working time reductions on family life; the implementation of a new paternity leave scheme introduced in 2002; fathers' participation in parental activities; and pay disparities between women and men.
- 30 Apr 2003
France: Controversy over 'back-door' redundancies in computer services<#PDF_LINK>Following a period of very rapid growth in the latter half of the 1990s, in 2003 French computer services and engineering companies are facing their sharpest drop in business ever. It is reported that these firms tend to shy away from collective redundancy procedures and have instead been quietly shedding increasing numbers of individuals as well as pressuring their employees to resign. Trade unions, which are weak in this sector, have protested against these practices.
- 29 Apr 2003
France: Strike at SNCF over opening of international freight to competition<#PDF_LINK>A strike called by seven trade unions took place at France's SNCF railway network in March 2003. The unions were protesting against the recent opening up of international freight transport by rail to competition within the EU. Discussions on the prevention of industrial disputes at SNCF have been taking place at the same time.
- 29 Apr 2003
France: New phase of administrative decentralisation launched<#PDF_LINK>In March 2003, meeting in a special plenary session, the two chambers of the French parliament passed a reform of the Constitution, granting to local authorities (mainly départements and regions) jurisdiction and responsibilities hitherto exercised by the central state. Some current central state civil servants will now become local authority civil servants. Trade unions and state employees have expressed their concerns.
- 14 Apr 2003
France: Government plans collective bargaining reform<#PDF_LINK>In February 2003, the French government submitted a discussion paper to trade unions and employers’ organisations, setting out its plans to reform collective bargaining. The paper draws on the proposals in a common position agreed by all the main social partner organisations, except the CGT union confederation, in July 2001. Legislation on bargaining reform is due to be tabled by the end of 2003.
- 10 Apr 2003
France: Crédit Agricole takeover of Crédit Lyonnais approved<#PDF_LINK>In March 2003, France's Banking and Investment Committee authorised a takeover of Crédit Lyonnais by Crédit Agricole, on the proviso that 85 branches be sold off and no new branches be opened in certain areas. Trade unions are concerned by the impact of the takeover on jobs, particularly at Crédit Lyonnais.
- 09 Apr 2003
France: Entertainment industry unemployment insurance dispute continues<#PDF_LINK>In February 2003, workers employed sporadically on fixed-term contracts in the French cinema, stage and broadcasting sectors held a strike and demonstrations to defend their special unemployment insurance scheme. The scheme, which has a large deficit, has been regularly challenged by employers.
- 02 Apr 2003
France: 2003 Social Security Funding Law in force<#PDF_LINK>France's Social Security Funding Law for 2003 focuses largely on the sickness insurance fund, whose large deficit is adversely affecting the finances of the entire social security system. The new legislation places particular emphasis on encouraging doctors to prescribegenericdrugs. The social partners have given the law a mixed reaction.
- 02 Apr 2003
France: Report examines future jobs and qualifications<#PDF_LINK>A report issued in December 2002 by a French interministerial taskforce (with input from the social partners) takes stock of changes in both labour needs and labour availability over the coming decade. Based on an appraisal of the situation, it advocates an active stance from the government, local authorities, social partners and companies in renewing and enlarging the labour force.
- 01 Apr 2003
France: Interministerial taskforce on restructuring starts work<#PDF_LINK>In late 2002 and early 2003, the French government set out the detailed remit for a new interministerial taskforce on company restructuring. The role of the new body is to coordinate public initiatives to offset the social impact of restructuring and its repercussions on employees. The taskforce is to implement a long-term policy of planning for economic change and alleviating its impact.
- 31 Mar 2003
France: 2000 works council election results published<#PDF_LINK>In December 2002, the French Ministry of Social Affairs, Employment and Solidarity published the results of the elections of employee representatives on works councils held in 2000. For the Ministry, the two main features of the elections were a fall in the turn-out from 65.7% in 1998 to 63.7% in 2000, and the fact that the share of the vote won by non-union slates of candidates fell by 2.2 percentage points, with trade union slates benefiting as a result.
- 26 Mar 2003
France: 2002 Annual Review for France<#PDF_LINK>This record reviews 2002's main developments in industrial relations in France.
- 14 Mar 2003
France: Protests and elections in state education<#PDF_LINK>Late 2002 saw a number of protests against job losses in France's state education system, along with important elections of employee representatives on various joint committees, which provide a significant gauge of the support for the sector's many trade unions.
- 14 Mar 2003
France: Strike hits Banque de France<#PDF_LINK>On 13 February 2003, significant strike action closed down most branches and other workplaces of Banque de France, after the announcement of a reorganisation of the French central bank’s network. Bargaining between the management and the trade unions subsequently got under way.
- 14 Mar 2003
France: Air Lib goes into liquidation<#PDF_LINK>France's second-largest airline, Air Lib was put into court-ordered liquidation in February 2003. The redundancy plan currently under discussion, based on redeployment, has raised concern among the company’s 3,200-strong workforce.
- 14 Mar 2003
France: Controversy over reform of 'personalised independence allowance'<#PDF_LINK>In response to funding problems, in February 2003 the French government issued proposals to reform thepersonalised independence allowance, a measure aimed at providing means-tested assistance for elderly people who are unable to live independently. Trade unions, pensioners’ associations and health and social services professionals have reacted strongly to the changes
- 10 Mar 2003
France: Electricity and gas workers reject agreement on pension reform<#PDF_LINK>In a referendum held in January 2003, 53.4% of workers and pensioners in the French electricity and gas industries - basically consisting of the state-owned companies EDF and GDF - rejected a deal reached in December 2002 by employers’ associations and four unions (CGT, CFDT, CFE-CGC and CFTC). This agreement provided for the transfer of the industries' special pension scheme to a public fund run jointly by the social partners. It was designed as a precursor to two government plans: privatising EDF and GDF, and bringing special pension schemes into line with the general scheme, as part of an overall reform of pension funding. Despite the referendum's result, the government has announced its willingness to see the December agreement translated into legislation.
- 10 Mar 2003
France: Sickness insurance funds sign agreement with doctors' unions<#PDF_LINK>In January 2003, France's sickness insurance funds reached a deal with doctors' trade unions on issues such as consultation fees, insurance and healthcarebest practice, paving the way for a formal agreement. However, talks on this latter agreement, which are scheduled to conclude by 31 March 2003, will run up against diverging interpretations among the parties on specific points of the January deal.
- 10 Mar 2003
France: Tension and disputes in Guadeloupe industrial relations<#PDF_LINK>Over late 2002 and early 2003, Guadeloupe - a French overseas département in the Caribbean - has seen major industrial disputes, driven by a slump in the island’s economy. The General Federation of Guadeloupe Workers (UGTG) has emerged as the most militant trade union, and elections to joint industrial tribunals held in December 2002 confirmed an increase in its support.
- 07 Mar 2003
France: Government launches pensions reform<#PDF_LINK>A reform of France's state pensions system was officially launched in January 2003 by President Jacques Chirac. To prepare the ground for negotiations over the reform, the seven main trade union organisations signed a joint statement and organised a day of demonstrations on 1 February. In early February, the Prime Minister presented the outlines of the reform, to a mixed reaction from the social partners.
- 12 Feb 2003
France: MEDEF holds general assembly<#PDF_LINK>In January 2003, France's MEDEF employers' confederation held its general assembly. Ernest-Antoine Seillière, who was re-elected as chair for another three years, set out the organisation's main lines of action for the future. The event was notable for the unprecedented presence of the Prime Minister.
- 12 Feb 2003
France: French subsidiary of Daewoo goes into liquidation<#PDF_LINK>In January 2003, the court-ordered liquidation was announced of the French subsidiary of the troubled Korean multinational, Daewoo. This followed several months of industrial action, which was often radical in nature. Company employees and the government are currently looking at the possibility of developing other types of business activity on the company's premises.
- 12 Feb 2003
France: Controversy over closure of Metaleurop Nord<#PDF_LINK>In January 2003, the management of Metaleurop Nord, a French subsidiary of the Swiss-based Glencore group, announced its immediate closure, with the loss of over 800 jobs. The move provoked widespread indignation, and trade unions, together with the government and the MEDEF employers' organisation, have protested against the decision.
- 12 Feb 2003
France: Vocational training negotiations restart<#PDF_LINK>In January 2003, some 15 months after the breakdown of earlier national negotiations on vocational training reform, French trade unions and employers’ associations convened new talks on the issue. At an initial meeting, they established the method to be followed and set up two technical groups to examine a range of issues.
- 12 Feb 2003
France: Air Lib avoids filing for bankruptcy<#PDF_LINK>In early 2003, after a new period of uncertainty, France’s second-largest airline, Air Lib, appears to be on the path to survival. The company is to be relaunched with assistance from the Dutch investment group Imca. However, trade unions have concerns over Air Lib's restructuring plans.
- 12 Feb 2003
France: Implementation of 35-hour week in hospitals made more flexible<#PDF_LINK>In January 2003, six trade unions signed an agreement with the Ministry of Health, aimed at making more flexible the implementation of a September 2001 agreement on the introduction of the 35-hour working week in French public hospitals. The new deal is a response to difficulties in implementing the earlier agreement, such as recruitment problems.
- 07 Feb 2003
France: Results of industrial tribunal elections<#PDF_LINK>On 11 December 2002, private sector employees and employers elected the members of France's joint industrial tribunals, which are responsible for resolving disputes between employers and employees through conciliation or by making rulings. The turn-out fell (to under a third of those eligible to vote), as it has done continuously since 1979 in the five-yearly elections, despite an improved showing on the employers’ side. The results of the 2002 elections did not radically change the balance of power between the trade unions or between the employers’ associations, although there were a number of notable developments.
- 31 Jan 2003
France: Unemployment insurance agreement renewed<#PDF_LINK>In December 2002, French employers' organisations and three of the five nationally representative trade union confederations - CFDT, CFE-CGC and CFTC - renewed their agreement on the jointly managed UNEDIC unemployment insurance scheme. With UNEDIC in financial crisis, the accord seeks to balance its budget over 2003-5 through cuts in benefit entitlement and increased contributions. The CGT and CGT-FO unions have criticised this agreement and its negative consequences for unemployed people.
- 29 Jan 2003
France: Crédit Agricole to take over Crédit Lyonnais<#PDF_LINK>In December 2002, the French bank Crédit Agricole made a takeover bid for Crédit Lyonnais, which the latter's board has accepted. Crédit Agricole was forced to act quickly and pay more than anticipated because of interest in taking over Crédit Lyonnais by another French bank, BNP Paribas. Trade unions fear that the result will be a major restructuring programme with heavy job losses.
- 29 Jan 2003
France: 35-hour week agreement suspended in catering sector<#PDF_LINK>In late 2002, the French government announced that it would abolish additional government financial assistance for working time reductions in the catering sector, thus suspending the sector's collective agreement on the introduction of the 35-hour week for two years. The move was greeted with a storm of protest from the CFDT and CGT trade unions, which had signed the agreement.