France 071024

Conclusion of a national agreement on equal treatment signed between the UIMM and the metal workers federations : CFDT, CFE-CGC, CFTC, FO.

CGT reserved its answer.

This agreement foresees the realization of two studies, on the comparative situation of the women and the people in front of industrial professions and on the measure of the distances from payments among men and women. These studies will be references for the future negotiations on equal treatment.

Agreement contains an encouragement in the “mixité” of jobs in the metal industry, notably by actions in favour of young ladies' recruitment in scientific and technical professions. It foresees that a part of the apprenticeship tax is allocated to the financing of these actions. The “mixité” of the representation in the companies committees and shop stewards representatives is also encouraged.

Agreement also defines incentive measures on the using of positiv measures to the exercise of the “parentalité” compatible with a professional activity, notably by using of the “chèque emploi service universel”, a interview of professional learning on the return to a leave of maternity or adoption either of a parental leave or a parental presence, in sight if need of a training or a balance of competences, with a priority of access to a period of professionalization.

A meeting is fixed at the beginning of 2009 for a first balance.

It is about an agreement which engages positively the employers in the search for equal treatment among women and men. It is however modest as regards the direct and concrete measures of application for the employees. It is above all an agreement of stage which has to allow to have additional and objective elements on the comparativ situation between men and women in front of industrial professions and in payments and wages to track down disparities and brakes in the equality to correct them.