by Paula Määttä

V. France

A. The legislative provisions for equality in pay

France uses the expression "égalité de rémunération" for the principle of equal pay for work of equal value.

The principle of equal pay for male and female teachers possessing qualifications was established in law in 1927. The Preamble of the French Constitution of 1946 guarantees womens rights equal to those of men in all areas. This Preamble is an integral part of the French Constitution in force since 4 October 1958.

Equal remuneration for men and women was adopted by Act No 72-1143 of 22 December 1972. The 1972 Act, codified in Article L 140-2 of the Labour Code, provides in its first paragraph that "every employer shall ensure equal remuneration for men and women for the same work or work of equal value". In 1983, an amendment to L 140-2 of the Labour Code was adopted in the Act of 13 July, Act No 83-635, which established criteria for the concrete assessment of the value of work.

France ratified the Equal Remuneration Convention No. 100 in 1953.