France: joint negotiations on universal time savings account (CETU) and professional retraining

At the initiative of the U2P, the employers' organisation representing very small businesses and craft trades, the trade unions – CFDT, CGT, FO, CFE-CGC and CFTC – are once again meeting to negotiate regarding the universal time savings account (CETU) and professional retraining. Two draft agreements have been sent to the unions by the U2P, following the failure of negotiations on the 'new pact for working life', designed to accompany the increase in the legal retirement age.
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A week after the failure of negotiations over keeping older workers in employment, the U2P (Union des entreprises de proximité), the employers’ organisation for very small businesses and craft trades, today invited the social partners to a new discussion, this time focusing on the universal time savings account (compte épargne-temps universel or CETU). This scheme, which would enable employees to save days of leave, even if they change company, in order to “build breathing space” for themselves

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