On 8 March 2006, Mr. Jacques Rapoport, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Labour and Solidarity in France, briefed the ILO concerning the modernization and development of the labour inspection system in his country. The next day, the "Plan de modernisation et de développement de l’inspection du travail" aiming at strengthening the French labour inspection system was introduced to the media by the Minister, Mr Gérard Larcher, (read the address made by the Minister Gérard Larcher).

This plan follows the provisions of ILO Convention C81 and Recommendation R81 on Labour Inspection to a large extent. During the preparation of the scheme, the French government took into consideration suggestions made by the ILO, including those concerning the increased powers to be given to labour inspectors in the enforcement of labour legislation and rules. As a result of the murder of two labour inspectors in 2004 (read Labour inspectors: Killings in 2004 highlight the need for new preventive measures, ILO Feature Articles, March 2005), more emphasis was placed on preventive measures to protection labour inspectors against violence and other types of negative reaction.

It is hoped that the plan will lead to an enhancement of knowledge and skills of labour inspectors through training and an improvement in the overall performance and quality of the system. Of notable significance is the proposed hiring of 700 new staff by the Inspectorate between 2007 and 2010. They will include new inspectors, engineers and health professionals. There are 1400 people working for the French labour inspection system today. The plan has three basic components: