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Article 4 of the Convention. Reform of the public employment service.  Participation of the social partners. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in February 2010, which contains information in reply to the matters raised in its 2008 observation. The Committee notes that the establishment of closer links between the National Employment Agency (ANPE) and the National Occupational Union for Employment in Industry and Commerce (UNEDIC) has led to the creation of Pôle Emploi as a new one-stop shop. Under Act No. 2008-126 of 13 February 2008, a National Employment Council was established as a tripartite body responsible for giving strategic direction to employment policies and ensuring coherence between the missions and activities of the various bodies comprising the public employment service. The Government also indicates that, in the context of the 2008 stimulus package, a social investment fund was created in February 2009 for a period of two years. The fund is designed to coordinate efforts to promote employment and vocational training and is managed by a group comprising representatives of the Government, social partners and the public employment service. The Committee requests the Government to indicate in its next report the activities carried out by the National Employment Council and the governing body of the Pôle Emploi relating to the organization and operation of the public employment service. The Government is requested to indicate whether, in addition to the governing body meetings held, there are any other arrangements allowing the effective involvement of the social partners in the operation of Pôle Emploi.

Article 1(1). Contribution of the free public employment service to employment promotion. The Committee notes that, according to the summary of the results of the evaluation conducted concerning the use of private placement operators, published in October 2009, jobseekers seem to be dealt with more quickly and monitored more often in the context of private job placement operators and the Cap vers l’entreprise (CVE) scheme compared to the usual process. Jobseekers registered with private job placement operators benefited from more support in obtaining employment than they received in the usual process, including assistance in targeting enterprises and help with interview preparation. The Government indicates that, as of 30 June 2009, 9,939 young graduates had benefited from a support service, 62.4 per cent of whom were women, and that 31 per cent of these persons had been placed in long-term employment. The Government also indicates that nearly 70 per cent of these young persons were still in employment six months after the start of their employment contract. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the results of the evaluations conducted concerning the use of private job placement operators, in terms of the integration or reintegration of jobseekers, particularly young persons, into the labour market. It requests the Government to indicate the manner in which collaboration between private job placement operators and Pôle Emploi is ensured.

Article 3. Development of employment offices throughout the territory. The Government indicates that it was deemed necessary to develop the operations of employment centres. Compulsory areas of activity have been determined to contribute to the development of local employment and reduce the cultural and social obstacles preventing access to employment. The reform was due to enter into force in January 2010. According to the Government, the aim of Pôle Emploi is to establish 950 sites covering the entire national territory. This objective was due to be achieved by the end of 2009. The Committee requests the Government to continue reporting on developments relating to the operations of employment centres. It also requests the Government to provide information on the progress made in ensuring that there are sufficient employment centres and Pôle Emploi agencies to serve all geographical areas and that their location makes them easily accessible to both employers and workers.