Representation in French micro enterprises

Next month, employees in micro enterprises in France — those with fewer than 11 employees — will be able to vote on which unions should represent them.

This does not lead to union representation at individual workplaces. But it helps determine: how many votes each union has in the joint union bodies which negotiate the industry-level deals covering micro enterprises; who sits as union representatives in labour courts; and who provides employees with advice on labour rights.

The votes are also added to the votes from works council elections in bigger firms to decide the relative strength of the union confederations at national level.

The votes of around five million employees in micro enterprises can potentially have an impact on the outcome.