France: "Social investment fund" created to help victims of economic crisis

The French Government announced the creation of a "social investment fund" in February 2009 to coordinate the actions of the state and the social partners to support, train and find employment for people who have lost their jobs as a result of the economic downturn.

The Government held a "social summit" with trade union and employers' representatives on 18 February to discuss responses to the economic and employment crisis.