France: Unemployment insurance agreement approved

A national agreement reforming the unemployment insurance system is being implemented by the French Government, despite being signed by just one of the five main trade union confederations, after it became clear in February 2009 that a majority of the non-signatory unions would not actively oppose the accord.

On 24 December 2008, negotiators for the main trade union confederations and employers’ organisations finalised the text of a draft national cross-industry agreement on unemployment insurance.