France
Background information on industrial relations in France
- 22 Dec 2005
France: Government unveils family-friendly measures<#PDF_LINK>At the 2005 Conference on the Family, the government announced several new policies, including a mini-reform of paid parental leave. These announcements have not been greeted with unanimous approval by trade unions.
- 02 Dec 2005
France: Unions demonstrate over jobs and purchasing power<#PDF_LINK>On 4 October 2005, French trade unions organised nationwide demonstrations, calling for the creation of secure jobs and an increase in employees' purchasing power. Over a million people reportedly took part in the protests. The government has continued with the measures on pay and jobs that it had already launched, but agreed to meet the unions in November.
- 07 Nov 2005
France: Social partners sign agreement changing criteria for use of temporary workers<#PDF_LINK>In September 2005, the Association of Temporary Work Agencies and three trade unions signed an agreement setting out two new cases in which temporary workers may be employed.
- 27 Oct 2005
France: 2003 works council election results and new worker representation rules for SMEs<#PDF_LINK>Legislation passed in France in August 2005 makes several amendments to labour law, including the rule on worker representation in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Meanwhile, official statistics on the outcome of the 2003 works council elections were published in September.
- 27 Oct 2005
France: National intersectoral agreement reached on telework<#PDF_LINK>In July 2005, the French social partners reached a draft national intersectoral agreement on telework, which was to be ratified by the end of September. The accord transposes the 2002 EU-level framework agreement on telework, the first time that this has been done by collective bargaining in France. The new agreement is seen as practical example of a new approach to social dialogue.
- 19 Oct 2005
France: Partial privatisation of Gaz de France<#PDF_LINK>Despite repeated union protest action, the French government has proceeded with the partial privatisation of the gas production and distribution company, Gaz de France (GDF). In July 2005, 22% of shares in GDF were floated on the stock exchange with small shareholders and company employees being offered first refusal. Other partial privatisations have also been announced.
- 19 Oct 2005
France: Privatisation and decentralisation of the French motorways<#PDF_LINK>The deadline set by the Ministry of the Economy for bids for the state’s share in three motorway operating companies was 22 August 2005. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Transport has been putting the finishing touches - not without opposition - to its initiative to transfer the administration of national highways to local authorities (départements) from 1 January 2006.
- 12 Oct 2005
France: Strong Opposition to restrictions on Access to Healthcare for Undocumented Migrants<#PDF_LINK>Two decrees published in July 2005, implementing more restrictive healthcare eligibility criteria for illegal foreign nationals has met with robust opposition, particularly among trade unions.
- 10 Oct 2005
France: Challenges to Hewlett Packard job cuts package<#PDF_LINK>The plan by Hewlett Packard (HP) to cut 10% of its worldwide workforce has come under attack in France, where the axe is due to fall on 26% of the company’s staff. As the HP group has announced USD 1 bn profits for the third quarter of 2005, this restructuring exercise has raised a storm of protest. In addition, the conditions for granting state aid to companies have become a subject for debate.
- 06 Sep 2005
France: Solidarity Day Monitoring and Assessment Committee Presents Report<#PDF_LINK>In July 2005, the Solidarity Day Monitoring and Assessment Committee presented its report to the Prime Minister. It suggests that the idea of an extra working day be continued in principle, but that it should not be systematically set for Whit Monday.
- 24 Aug 2005
France: Minimum wage rise restores single rate but causes concerns<#PDF_LINK>The hourly rate of France's SMIC national minimum wage was increased by 5.5% to EUR 8.03 from July 2005. Combined with lower rises in the various special guaranteed monthly wage rates for workers who have moved to the 35-hour week, this means that there is now again a single SMIC rate, after several years in which a range of rates applied. The employment minister has asked for a report assessing the minimum wage by the end of 2005, raising concerns among trade unions that the current mechanisms for calculating and adjusting the SMIC may come under threat.
- 24 Aug 2005
France: Debate on social inequality and poverty indicators<#PDF_LINK>The National Council for Statistical Information, a forum for discussion between producers and users of statistics in France - including the social partners - debated the measurement of inequality at its plenary meeting in February 2005. The main topics in the discussion were the responsiveness of public statistics providers and the capacity of their tools to reflect economic and social change..
- 24 Aug 2005
France: Government approves 67 competitiveness centres<#PDF_LINK>In July 2005, the French government gave official approval to 67 competitiveness centresto be created in 2006, including 13 seen as suited for projects on a worldwide scale. Around 3,000 research posts are to be created in 2006 and an estimated 400,000 jobs could be created or saved by these new specialised industrial innovation projects. The social partners have given mixed reactions to the initiative.
- 15 Aug 2005
France: Evaluation of early exit schemes<#PDF_LINK>An initial assessment of the July 2003 pension reform measures can now be made in terms of the uptake of early exit schemes, the buying back of annual pension credits, and early retirement after a long career. The clear increase in the number of people taking early retirement due to exposure to asbestos has provoked criticism and suggestions for reforming this retirement scheme.
- 15 Aug 2005
France: Phenomenon of company relocation under the spotlight<#PDF_LINK>Company relocation is a major subject of public debate in France at present. This debate has been triggered by numerous studies based on quantitative assessments of industrial restructuring or investment abroad, as well as qualitative analyses that come under the general heading of company relocation.
- 12 Aug 2005
France: EU Directives applied in civil service<#PDF_LINK>A law was passed in France in July 2005 on the application in the civil service of various aspects of EU employment legislation. The new law regulates the use of fixed-term contracts in the civil service and introduces provisions on the reduction of precarious forms of employment, free movement and the fight against discrimination.
- 11 Aug 2005
France: Uncertain Future for La Samaritaine Workers<#PDF_LINK>La Samaritaine, a Parisian department store with iconic status, closed for an unspecified period in June 2005. Safety work being carried out is said to make it impossible for the store to re-open in less than 6 years. Its 1,500 workers have been left in limbo.
- 11 Aug 2005
France: French Bosses Elect Female President to Head of MEDEF<#PDF_LINK>On 5 July 2005, The General Assembly of the Movement of French Business (Mouvement des entreprises de France, MEDEF) elected 46 year-old Laurence Parisot to the Chair of the main French employers’ association. This election sees a woman accede to this position of great responsibility at a moment when plenty of sensitive issues are on the agenda. The new Chair will come under close scrutiny.
- 28 Jul 2005
France: New government announces emergency employment plan<#PDF_LINK>In June 2005, France's new Prime Minister, Dominique de Villepin, presented an emergency employment plan, against a backdrop of rising unemployment. The plan has three main strands: recruitment by small businesses; a return to work for long-term unemployed people; and access to employment for young people and the over-50s. One of the flagship measures, and the most controversial for trade unions, introduces a new type of open-ended employment contract for new recruits in smaller firms.
- 28 Jul 2005
France: Report examines bargaining under the 2004 social dialogue reform law<#PDF_LINK>The French Ministry of Employment’s 2004 annual report on collective bargaining, published in June 2005, is the first since a May 2004 law reforming the rules for social dialogue. Not all the effects of this law, which significantly amended the way in which collective bargaining is structured, have yet emerged, and the new rules are fuelling important debates between the social partners.
- 20 Jul 2005
France: 2004 Annual Review for France<#PDF_LINK>This record reviews the main industrial relations developments in France during 2004.
- 05 Jul 2005
France: Fourth SNCF Strike This Year<#PDF_LINK>On 2 June 2005, four of the SNCF’s eight unions called for a national strike in defence of wages, jobs and the public service. They are also hostile to the company’s new freight plan.
- 05 Jul 2005
France: Union Realignment in Banking & Insurance<#PDF_LINK>A new union federation for banking and insurance staff was set up in June 2005. It resulted from a merger between the previous CGT federation and the union created in late 2004 by former activists from the CFDT federation, and is affiliated to the General Confederation of Labour (CGT).
- 28 Jun 2005
France: Government plan for developing personal services<#PDF_LINK>In February 2005, France’s Minister for Social Cohesion tabled a plan for developing personal services, with a view to boosting employment throughout the sector. While the plan meets the sector’s needs, it has given rise to some unease as to the type and number of jobs it may generate.
- 28 Jun 2005
France: Legislation on employment placement services amended<#PDF_LINK>New legislation that was adopted in France in January 2005 changes the regulations on employment placement services. The state-run National Employment Agency (ANPE) no longer has a monopoly (if only theoretical) over placement services and may create fee-charging subsidiaries, while temporary employment agencies may now also provide employment placement services. The new rules should have a significant impact on the balance between public and private employment agencies. The social partners' reactions have been mixed.
- 07 Jun 2005
France: Strikes in Retail Sector<#PDF_LINK>Between September 2004 and May 2005, the largest retail group, Carrefour experienced various industrial disputes, mainly over pay. One of them was motivated by the highly lucrative golden handshake afforded to the outgoing CEO.
- 07 Jun 2005
France: Cross-sector Negotiations on Teleworking Kicked Off<#PDF_LINK>In May 2005, employers’ associations and trade unions kicked off talks on teleworking to define the terms and conditions for the transposition of the 2002 European Union framework agreement into French law.
- 07 Jun 2005
France: Transposition of Directives on the Postal Sector.<#PDF_LINK>In May 2005, the law on the regulation of postal activities transposing 1997 and 2002 European Union Directives was finally adopted. It provided for the gradual introduction of competition into the postal sector and defines the public service objectives to be met by the universal postal service.
- 03 Jun 2005
France: New back-to-work scheme agreed for redundant employees<#PDF_LINK>In April 2005, French employers' organisations and four out of five trade union confederations concluded an intersectoral agreement on the introduction of a new personalised back-to-work assistance agreement(CRP) scheme to retrain and find new jobs for employees who are made redundant. The scheme is based on the provisions of a new law on social cohesion, adopted in January.
- 03 Jun 2005
France: Unions oppose extra 'solidarity' working day<#PDF_LINK>From 2005, the French government has abolished one public holiday a year, with the extra solidarity dayof work being used to fund measures to assist the elderly and people with disabilities. Trade unions strongly oppose this move and have called for industrial action on 16 May 2005, formerly the Whit Monday public holiday.
- 03 Jun 2005
France: Government proposes reform of financial participation/employee savings schemes<#PDF_LINK>In March 2005, France's new Minister of Economy and Finance invited companies that wish to do so to give employees a one-off payment related to company performance, as a trade-off for a reduction in company tax. Soon afterwards, the Prime Minister announced that there is to be a reform of the main statutory employee savings and financial participation schemes. These proposals, which aim to give fresh impetus to consumer activity, have not, by and large, found favour with the trade unions, which want to focus on pay bargaining, while employers have been more positive.
- 18 May 2005
France: Is gender equality at work a mirage?<#PDF_LINK>In his New Year address to the representatives of the nation’s working population in January, President Jacques Chirac requested that the government introduce a bill aimed at achieving gender pay equality within five years before Parliament without delay. On 24 March 2005, Minister for Parity and Gender Equality at Work, Nicole Ameline, presented her Bill on gender pay equality.
- 13 May 2005
France: Thematic feature - unskilled workers<#PDF_LINK>This article gives a brief overview of the industrial relations aspects of the topic of unskilled workers and unskilled work in France, as of February 2005. It looks at: national definitions of unskilled workers or work; the number of unskilled workers and workers in unskilled jobs, and the extent of unskilled work; employment and unemployment among unskilled workers; the regulatory framework; trade union organisation among unskilled workers; pay and conditions; recent initiatives to improve the situation of unskilled workers; and the views of trade unions and employers' organisations on the issue and its implications for collective bargaining.
- 12 May 2005
France: 2004, a record year for social security contributions<#PDF_LINK>In 2004, the revenue from social security contributions gathered by ACOSS outstripped forecasts to reach levels not seen for many years. Employer associations have decided to return to the boards managing the various social security funds, while ACOSS intends to improve the collection of contributions.Original Abstract - Required
- 09 May 2005
France: Civil Servants Obtain Additional Wage Rise<#PDF_LINK>In the wake of major industrial action, civil service trade unions obtained an additional 0.8% wage rise in March 2005, on top of the 1% agreed to by the Government in late 2004. Unions and the Minister also agreed on the agenda for negotiations on civil service modernisation.
- 09 May 2005
France: Incorporation of Directives into French Law: increasing working time for lorry drivers!<#PDF_LINK>The government has just passed the law incorporating the European directives on working time in the transport industry into French law. Most of the unions that had filed an appeal are planning a response and are seriously concerned.
- 09 May 2005
France: Stands on The European Union Constitution Treaty<#PDF_LINK>On 14 July 2004, the President of France let it be known that he had decided that the treaty would be presented to the French nation for ratification by means of a referendum. Following consultations with the various political parties, he finally set the date for the referendum as Sunday 29 May 2005. Polls, which had been predicting a yesvictory right up until March 2005, are now casting doubt on whether France will in fact endorse the treaty.
- 05 May 2005
France: Controversial reform of sickness insurance assessed<#PDF_LINK>A law reforming France's sickness insurance system came into force in August 2004. Its objective is to balance the sickness insurance scheme’s finances by 2007, while reorganising the healthcare system. Although the impact of some of the law's measures has already been witnessed, as at April 2005, the effects of others will be observable only in future. Trade unions have been critical of the reform, but there are serious differences of opinion among them.
- 05 May 2005
France: Government presents workplace health plan 2005-9<#PDF_LINK>The French government submitted a workplace health plan covering the period from 2005 to 2009 to the Higher Council for the Prevention of Occupational Risks in February 2005. This plan, developed in consultation with the social partners, is designed to achieve both a substantial fall in the number of accidents at work and occupational illnesses, and a lasting improvement in prevention.
- 05 May 2005
France: Education reform legislation passed despite protests<#PDF_LINK>A new law on schools reform was passed by the French National Assembly in March 2005. It is to be fully implemented when the new school year begins in September 2006, despite numerous protests and demonstrations involving, in varying degrees, state education sector employees, parents and students.
- 26 Apr 2005
France: French social partners respond to EU draft services Directive<#PDF_LINK>The draft EU Directive on services in the internal market has proved very controversial in France, not least among trade unions. In January 2005, the Economic and Social Council (on which the social partners are represented) adopted an opinion critical of the Directive. This was the first time that this consultative body had adopted an opinion dealing with draft EU legislation.
- 19 Apr 2005
France: Thematic feature - collective agreements on changes in work organisation<#PDF_LINK>This article gives a brief overview of collective bargaining on changes in work organisation in France, as of September 2004. It looks at: the extent to which collective agreements introduce changes in work organisation that take into account productivity demands, flexibility and security in an integrated way; the main areas in which changes are being introduced; the overall success or otherwise of bargaining on the topic; and the prospects for the future.
- 11 Apr 2005
France: Cross-sector union mobilisation on 10 March 2005: social pressure mounts on purchasing power, 35-hour week and employment<#PDF_LINK>Parliament is preparing to pass a law that amends the 35-hour week Acts. Boosted by the success of their mobilisation on 20 February 2005, the unions have called on employees to engage in another day of cross-sector action on Thursday 10 March 2005, on the issues of purchasing power, the 35-hour week and employment.
- 11 Apr 2005
France: UNSA Congress<#PDF_LINK>The Union nationale des syndicats autonomes - UNSA, (National Federation of Independent Unions) held its fourth national congress in Nantes in March 2005. Even though the Federation’s initial attempts to have the Courts recognise it as a representative body failed, the organisation, buoyed by its score at the latest industrial court elections, is determined not to rest on its laurels and to press ahead with its growth.
- 01 Apr 2005
France: Reports underscore importance of industrial policy in context of globalisation<#PDF_LINK>Two reports issued in early 2005 examine the position of French industry in the wake of numerous company relocation announcements and the resulting fears of the deindustrialisation of the French economy. The analysis and comparisons contained in the reports mainly focus on the need to return to a proactive industrial policy. Trade unions have given the reports a broadly positive reception.
- 01 Apr 2005
France: La Poste reorganises as competition looms<#PDF_LINK>With the prospect of the full deregulation of postal services by 2009, La Poste, the French post office, has increased the pace of its overhaul process and is now endeavouring to reorganise. In early 2005, the employment implications of the planned shake-up of the post office branch network and its consequences in terms of rural development have sparked strong reaction from both trade unions and local elected officials.
- 01 Apr 2005
France: Report advocates major reform of labour market<#PDF_LINK>In December 2004, two economists submitted a report to the Ministers of Economy and Employment advocating a shake-up of the French labour market. Key recommendations include measures to promote more equitable access to specific jobs, a single standardised employment contract and improved support for unemployed people.
- 01 Apr 2005
France: Reform of 35-hour week law under way <#PDF_LINK>A bill that introduces flexibility into France's 35-hour working week legislation was passed on its first reading in the National Assembly in February 2005. While the bill does not abolish the 35-hour week, it reforms the rules on working time accounts and allows more overtime working. Trade unions have unanimously condemned the bill and organised a wide-scale day of action to defend the 35-hour week on 5 February.
- 01 Apr 2005
France: 2002 works council election results published<#PDF_LINK>The results of France's 2002 works council elections were published in January 2005. The turn-out among employees had fallen since 1998 but remained relatively high. Over a 10-year period, some trade unions’ share of the vote has not significantly changed, while others have made significant advances.
- 01 Apr 2005
France: Social Economy’ Sector Employers get Organised, and the CEGES elects new Chair<#PDF_LINK>The employers in the Social Economy’ sector, one of whose component associations has just elected a new Chair, are striving to obtain recognition, both for their very existence and their values.
- 01 Apr 2005
France: Discussions End on Sunday Opening for Shops?<#PDF_LINK>Discussions on Sunday opening for shops have generated tension within the Government itself and strong opposition from trade unions. Following the intervention of the Prime Minister, the maximum number of Sundays on which shops are legally allowed to open remains unchanged at 5.
- 16 Feb 2005
France: One-day strike held at SNCF<#PDF_LINK>Seven railworkers' trade unions called a strike at French National Railways (SNCF) on 19 January 2005, in opposition to the company’s 2005 budget, job losses and any future threat to the public service status of rail transport. This was the first test of the dispute-prevention scheme put in place at SNCF in late 2004.
- 16 Feb 2005
France: New rules on early retirement for civil servants with three children<#PDF_LINK>As a result of a European Court of Justice ruling in December 2002 and a large number of court cases, the French government has been obliged to extend to male civil servants with three children a right to early retirement granted previously only to female civil servants in this position. Finally, in late 2004, it opted to extend this right in principle but arguably restrict it in practice, by making this entitlement contingent upon the civil servants involved having taken a career break.
- 16 Feb 2005
France: MEDEF president highlights successes<#PDF_LINK>France's MEDEF employers' confederation held its annual general assembly in January 2005. Its president, Ernest-Antoine Seillière, whose term expires at the end of 2005, presented what he saw as rather positive outcomes from MEDEF's activities and expressed the desire to see reforms such as that planned by the government for the 35-hour week continued.
- 16 Feb 2005
France: Call centres to be allowed to operate on Sundays<#PDF_LINK>In a move to promote the development of call centres in France and to avoid them being relocated to other countries, in December 2004 the government decided to allow them to operate on Sundays. In exchange, employers have pledged to create 30,000 jobs over three years and to improve employment and working conditions. Trade unions are very critical of this initiative.
- 10 Feb 2005
France: Civil servants strike<#PDF_LINK>French civil service trade unions called a one-day strike on 20 January 2004, mainly in support of demands for pay increases and in opposition to cuts in staffing levels. The unions regarded the action as being relatively successful, with an estimated one-third of central government civil servants taking part and particularly strong support in the state education sector.
- 09 Feb 2005
France: Casino strike averted by last-minute deal<#PDF_LINK>Disagreement between French casino employers and the sector’s five trade unions led the latter to give notice of a strike on 31 December 2004 in pursuit of claims relating to pay and working conditions. A last-minute deal containing pledges on these issues was reached on 30 December, preventing the strike.
- 19 Jan 2005
France: Government proposes working time and pay reforms<#PDF_LINK>In December 2004, the French Prime Minister, Jean-Pierre Raffarin, unveiled his government's policies for the coming period. These include measures to increase employment, amend some working time rules, harmonise minimum wage rates, and reform employee savings and share-ownership.
- 13 Jan 2005
France: Assistance for the elderly and disabled people under debate<#PDF_LINK>The issue of assistance for elderly people and people with disabilities has been topical in France in 2004. With a personalised independence allowancescheme introduced in 2002 seen as inadequate, the government pushed through parliament a vote to create a National Independent-living Support Fund in June 2004. Neither the Fund's role nor the financing arrangements were specified at the time of the vote and concerns were raised among the social partners about losing control over some some funds they currently administer. Clarification on some of the ways the Fund is to function was provided in the autumn, but the decisions taken are far from being definitive.
- 10 Jan 2005
France: New initiatives on fighting discrimination in the workplace<#PDF_LINK>In late 2004, 35 French companies signed a diversity charter. committing them to fighting labour market discrimination based on ethnic origin. At the same time, a report submitted to the government by a leading employers' representative has advocated proactive policies for recruiting among groups of visible minoritypeople. Meanwhile, the Court of Auditors has been profoundly critical of the past 30 years of French immigration policy.
- 10 Jan 2005
France: Discontent over amendments to disability bill<#PDF_LINK>A French government bill on equal opportunities and rights for people with disabilities was amended by the Senate in late October 2004. Some of these amendments have been very controversial among disability associations and trade unions. Meanwhile the government has taken a number of other measures to promote the employment of people with disabilities, such as: a drive to increase the number of disabled people in public employment; attempts to reduce unemployment among disabled people, and the conclusion of local disabled employment agreements.