France: First companies fined under older workers law

The French ministry of labour announced in May 2010 that 163 companies have been obliged to pay a penalty of 1% of their total paybill because they have failed to comply with legislation obliging them since January 2010 to have a collective agreement or action plan promoting the employment of older workers.

Legislation adopted in December 2008 called on employers and trade unions to conclude, by the end of 2009, sector- or company-level collective agreements on "active age management".