Germany: ‘active retirement’ law adopted to encourage seniors to remain in the workforce National legislation On 15 October, Germany’s cabinet approved draft legislation on ‘active retirement‘, which is expected to pass swiftly through Parliament.…
Exclusif France: generative AI and older workers central to BPCE’s skills management strategy National industrial relations On 17 July 2025, BPCE and its trade unions signed a second agreement on jobs and career management within the banking group. The text places generative artificial intelligence at the core of its skills strategy and introduces measures in anticipation of the forthcoming law on older workers. It also establishes dedicated social dialogue on the use of generative AI.
France: government proposes suspending pension reform National legislation French prime minister Sébastien Lecornu, reappointed on 10 October after resigning four days earlier, delivered his general policy speech to the National Assembly on 14 October. He announced the suspension of the 2023 pension reform — which raised the legal retirement age from 62 to 64 — and proposed reopening discussions on the future of the pension system amid the threat of a no-confidence vote. He also pledged to strengthen codetermination and step up efforts to combat social fraud.
France: insurance sector becomes first to sign agreement on employment of older workers National industrial relations On 25 June 2025, France Assureurs – the employers’ association for the insurance industry – and five representative trade unions signed the sector’s first three-year agreement aimed at promoting the employment of experienced workers. Covering 161,300 employees, the agreement establishes a general framework for future negotiations within insurance companies employing 300 or more people.
mind RH analysis – Extending working lives becomes a priority across Europe Legal developments Rising life expectancy and ageing populations are prompting more European countries to increase the retirement age in order to safeguard pension systems. Analysis by mind RH found that a third of the 31 countries surveyed have opted to link the retirement age to life expectancy, allowing regular adjustments as working lives lengthen. Between 2020 and 2024, the employment rate among 55- to 64-year-olds in the EU rose from 59%to more than 65% on average.
France: agreement at Adecco to better anticipate job evolution National industrial relations On 10 June, Adecco France and representative trade unions signed an agreement on job and career management and gender diversity for the period 2025-2029. Under this agreement, the temporary employment agency undertakes to develop its permanent employees' employability on an "ongoing basis" to enable them to adapt to economic and technological changes. The company will carry out annual forward-looking assessments of job trends as part of this push.
Austria: social affairs minister proposes quotas for hiring senior citizens National legislation On 21 September, Austria’s social affairs minister Korinna Schumann, of the Social Democratic Party, proposed on public broadcaster ORF the introduction of a quota system for workers over the age of 60.…
France: pharmaceutical industry signs first agreement on older workers National industrial relations On 8 July, Leem, the professional body for pharmaceutical companies in France, concluded its first sector-wide agreement with the CFE-CGC, CFTC, FO and Unsa unions on the integration and retention of older workers. Extending the scope of mandatory talks set out in the July 2025 law on the employment of experienced staff, the deal will take effect on 1 January 2026 for three years.
Germany: will the upcoming ‘active retirement’ scheme be a financial drain with little impact on the pool of skilled labour? National legislation Carsten Linnemann, general secretary of the centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU), confirmed once again in mid-August the governing parties’ intention to introduce two new schemes from 1 January 2026: ‘active retirement’…
Luxembourg: government and social partners reach an agreement on pensions National industrial relations Talks between the government, the Luxembourg Confederation (CLC) and the LCGB and OGBL trade unions ended on 3 September without a full agreement. While a compromise was reached on pension reform, other issues remain unresolved. The government said it would now put forward its own amendments to legislation on Sunday work and shop opening hours.
