France: tight schedule for President Sarkozy’s vast social reforms program

On September 18, the French President Nicolas Sarkozy made the inventory of the social reforms the government will start working on with social partners. The reform of special pension schemes (special pension schemes that benefit the employees of government-owned companies), the reform of the employment contract and new for the 35-hour week are on the agenda. (Ref. 070773)
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  • Special schemes. Special pension schemes (for EDF, GAD, RATP agents and so on) will be harmonized with those of civil servants. The Labour Minister, Xavier Bertrand, has two weeks to talk with “all the role players concerned” and set this harmonization’s “joint principles,” which will then be implemented in each company.
  • Working time. Nicolas Sarkozy wants to give more weight to branch and company negotiation regarding the establishment of duration of work. He also wants to enable employees t
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