As announced after the social partners failed to agree on personnel representation bodies, the government is stepping in to “fully assume its responsibilities” and at the end of March/beginning of April will present a draft law on reforms to social dialogue in businesses. On February 25, following meetings with unions and business leaders, the Prime Minister Manuel Valls presented the government’s five key areas for the draft law and at the same time outlined a Social Agenda for the whole of 2015. By Social Agenda is meant a list of the topics for group discussion and action with the social partners. On the same day the European Commission agreed to grant France a two-year extension for bringing its public deficit under the 3% of GDP bar whilst keeping the country under pressure to push forward with structural reforms.
The aims of the draft law on social dialogue in businesses due to be presented end March/beginning April for enactment before the summer remains unchanged. The law will look to streamline information/consultation procedures and negotiations so as to improve the efficiency and efficacy of social dialogue as well as putting in place a form of SME employee representation. After negotiations on the issue broke down (c.f. article No. 8840) the government took up the challenge, in the Prime Minister’s words, for “a much needed reform”. Overall both union and employers’ bodies have declared themselves more or less satisfied with the text, with the notable exceptions of the CGT and the FO unions.
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