A regulation stating what is important came in the summer. But the government thinks that it has taken too long time, and in early November leaders of employers, unions and others were called to a meeting to kick-start the action plans in the industry.

A thousand plans had been signed and also seven trade agreements were approved, said the Labor Minister Xavier Darcos.

The trade agreements have extra significance because companies in the industry then do not have the obligation to submit their own plans. About ten million workers in the private sector are involved in the action plans, according to the Ministry of Labor.

The agreements will set concrete targets in numbers in at least three of the six areas. This applies to recruitment, gradual transition into retirement, knowledge, career development, training and working conditions. At the end of next year, the government will undertake a review of the results.

The French government will also seriously try to increase equality in the workplace.

A bill suggestion is said to come out in 2010. The Parties are suggested to negotiate an agreement about equality before February 15, 2010.

The government points out that gender equality is far from satisfactory, despite the fact that six new laws between 1972 and 2008 have been introduced and a framework agreement between the parties in the spring of 2004. However, no results are shown yet.

-Three lines of action are therefore urgently needed.
Simpler rules must be developed, the women must be better in the workplace with more opportunities to combine work and family life. More women also need to find a place in the business management.

Better information should also be developed for clearer information on conditions and possible sanctions for those who do not meet the requirements, says Labor Minister Xavier Darcos.


                                                                                Cecilia Helland