Social Affairs

Within the framework of the industry restructuring process initiated by the government: the scope of application of the National Collective Agreement for the Leather and Skins Industry (IDCC 207) and of the National Collective Agreement for Multiservice Shoemaking (IDCC 1561) were merged with that of the National Collective Agreement for the Leather‑Goods Industries, Leather Travel Goods, Hunting‑Saddlery, Harness‑Goods and Leather Belts (IDCC 2528) by ministerial order dated 23 January 2019.

To date, one single branch has been named: the Leather Goods (Maroquinerie) sector, which includes several leather goods sectors: hides and skins (tanning and finishing), and multi-service shoemaking. There is currently only one collective bargaining agreement, namely the Collective Agreement for the Leather Goods Industries, which defines employer–employee relations in the sector.

Following the aforementioned “merger” decree, a period of five (5) years commenced, during which time the two merged sectors continued to exclusively apply their respective collective agreements. During this period, they were authorized to negotiate the retention of sector-specific provisions applicable to their respective activities, and to participate in the formulation and implementation of common provisions for the newly established Leather Goods sector.

Through this decree the Leather and Hides sector was able to negotiate four clauses that serve as specific annexes to the Leather and Hides sector within the CNN Maroquinerie. (National Collective Agreement for Leather Goods).

After this five-year period, in January 2024, the National Collective Agreement for the Leather and Hides Industries ceased to exist, and companies in the sector must now apply the 9 September 2005 (IDCC 2528) Leather Goods National Collective Agreement with the exception of the specific provisions preserved by agreement — the ‘Specific Annexes’ — which continue to apply, superseding the corresponding provisions of the Leather Goods collective agreement governing the same subject matter.

All applicable texts can be consulted on the official LEGIFRANCE website at the following link (French spoken):
https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/conv_coll/id/KALICONT000005635109

Since 2019, collective bargaining has been conducted within the framework of the Permanent Joint Committee for Negotiation and Interpretation (CPPNI) of the Leather Goods Sector.

It brings together industry and union representatives from the five organizations with national representation in the Leather Goods, Shoemaking, and Hides and Skins sectors

This framework has enabled the negotiation of measures specific to the Leather and Hides industry (minimum wage, specific annexes, etc.) as well as new measures common to the Leather Goods Sector (part-time work schemes, save as you earn employee schemes, emergency measures to fund employment and vocational training, the Pro A program (Professional Retraining and Career Advancement Program), and gender equality measures in the workplace.

This framework remains in effect beyond the five-year transitional period following the merger decree.

With the merger of the collective agreements acted in 2024, there is now a single National Joint Commission for Employment and Vocational Training (CPNEFP) specific to the Leather Goods Sector.

This commission includes industry representatives and union workplace delegations for Leather and Hides, Leather Goods, and Shoemaking sectors.

The commission meets regularly to address Skill and Training challenges within the sector, in coordination with its accreditation authority, OPCO2i.

Each year, it defines a “roadmap”, which summarizes the projects requiring funding by its accreditation authority.

These projects aim to promote and enhance the attractiveness of occupations through various actions, such as producing career path films, visual or media campaigns, etc., conducted by the Federation or within the framework of the sectoral strategic committee (“Savoir pour faire”)
The projects also include conducting specific studies to better grasp certain areas or sectors.

Finally, training, upskilling, and learning program development projects require funding. The commission is strongly committed to the creation of sector-specific certifications (PQC and professional titles) including assessment and follow-up criteria, both of which are subject to the France Compétences (French national agency for vocational training and apprenticeship funding) requirements.

The commission accredits training organizations involved in delivering sector-specific certifications and organizes the juries that award these diplomas.

The commission sets the funding levels for apprenticeships and internships.

It is also called upon to provide feedback/reviews or approve financial allocations.

In accordance with Article L. 2135‑16 of the French Labor Code, the annual management report on parity-based representation must be made available for consultation: click here (French spoken).

The European social partners belonging to the tanning and leather sectors meet three times a year in Brussels within the Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee, which is made up of two separate bodies:

• • A panel exclusively for Tanning
• • An inter‑sectorial panel including Textiles, Apparel, Leather and Footwear.

These tripartite meetings bring together powerful industry watchdogs: