Public sector negotiations regarding professional equality between women and men in France remain deadlocked after the French Ministry of the Public Service presented a conclusive draft agreement on September 10, 2026, according to reporting by Le Monde. Labor unions have criticized the text for lacking both structural ambition and the necessary financial backing to enforce meaningful change after a year and a half of discussions.
The Deadlock Over the Conclusive Draft Agreement
According to Le Monde, the administration unveiled its final text following approximately twenty negotiating sessions launched in March 2025. The Ministry of the Public Service stated that the objective of the proposal is to prolong and amplify the momentum generated by a previous 2018 agreement by introducing new concrete advancements. These measures include reinforced prevention of sexual violence, harassment, and sexist behavior, alongside better support for cases of domestic violence. Despite these stated goals, trade unions argue that the initiative falls short of addressing systemic challenges within the administration.
Data Context: Where the Public Service Stands
Data published by the Directorate-General for Administration and the Public Service (DGAFP) highlights progress across several metrics leading up to 2025. According to the DGAFP, the gross remuneration gap between women and men in government ministries narrowed from 15% in 2015 to 9,8 % in 2025, settling at 8,5 % for equal work.
Union Demands and Budgetary Friction
Despite these statistical shifts, labor organizations maintain that institutional discourse does not match current budgetary and political realities. According to an inter-union letter addressed to Minister for Public Action and Public Accounts David Amiel and Minister for Equality Aurore Bergé, unions condemned a 10 % reduction in ordinary sick leave compensation enacted on March 1, 2025—a measure that impacts pregnant civil servants and which they characterize as an exceptional regression. Furthermore, unions oppose the ministry’s intention to reduce the number of special absence days permitted for sick childcare, calling the project a contradictory approach to workplace support.
Upcoming Regulatory Milestones
Negotiations also intersect with broader legislative timelines. Additionally, upcoming requirements include the implementation of a compensated birth leave accessible to all parents starting in July 2026, alongside France’s ongoing preparation to transpose the European Union directive on pay transparency and gender remuneration equality by June 2026.
