Postwar reconstruction requires the State takes over the hand

"The Tiger" was not to be eating by the CGT: October 25, 1906, it is to counter the growing influence of syndicalism, which comes through the Charter of Amiens, to escape the guardianship of the parties, that Georges Clemenceau creates the Department of labour. While it celebrates one hundred years, its history to trace the genesis of the French social model today questioned. Debut, the Department pursues the legislative work in the country in the 19th century, with point organ peasant and worker of 1910 Pensions Act. But by the end of the great war, the omnipotent role of the State in the economy is violently contested. To appease the climate, the day of 8 hours and the laws on collective agreements are passed in 1919. A turning point: the workers realize that they can play a role industrial action and only defensive step, idea which will find its culmination in 1936.

Dirigisme and joint system

Under the Popular Front, 24 pieces of legislation are voted in three months, paid leave, the week of 40 hours and the creation of the staff delegates. Working-class speaks now of equal to equal with employers while the State is given the new role of arbitrator.

Post-war reconstruction requires, the State takes over the hand. He is Almighty, employer and patron. In 1945, he creates social security and to grant the monopoly of the placement of the labour force. The life of the "modern" company structure: are created business committees, the occupational medicine and hygiene and safety committees. The Department includes nevertheless quickly that the economy cannot leave a collaborative way and boost social dialogue. The French model, combining leadership and joint system, is born. Symbol, the year 1950: the State strengthens the role of collective agreements, establishes the free negotiation of salaries... and imposes the first minimum interoccupational guaranteed wage, the SMIG. In 1959, the management of unemployment insurance is entrusted to the social partners.

With the 1960s, the repatriation of Algeria and layoffs in the traditional sectors in crisis grow the Department to define for the first time a real policy of employment. In 1967, the NAE is created by the Department and a young Jacques Chirac referred to as State Secretary. Arrive May 1968 and de Grenelle agreements the minimum wage increase, 39 hours, recognition of the trade union section of business despite where tensions persist. In 1970, the "new society" pompidolienne leads to an inter-professional agreement making training a right and, in 1972, the first law for equal pay between men and women. In 1973, to ensure "the security of employment" in "a more human society", Act subverts the dismissal, while discretionary, by introducing the "real and serious cause". In 1976, the million of unemployed bar is reached, which grows to develop defence of employment policies and to strengthen the supervision and control of redundancies (generalization of the Councils of the labor in 1979).

Support the creation of employment

With the arrival in power of the PS, 1982 Auroux laws develop the rights of workers and the role of trade unions in the company. But unemployment quickly becomes a priority and the Government focus its social treatment with a massive recourse to early retirement and assisted contracts (the TUC in 1984). In 1988 is created the RMI, while asserting itself at the same time the character more segmented in the fight against unemployment, with measures for youth and the long-term unemployed. Without convincing effects. The France is struggling to adapt to changes in the economy and 12.5 of unemployed in the 1990s. During this decade, the Department will seek to promote the creation of jobs, through reductions in charges and the passage, in 1998, the 35-hour. Eight years after, the fight against unemployment remains the priority of the Department, which relies more than ever on measures segmented according to the companies and people.