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Revision as of 18:58, 14 December 2024 by JASpencer (talk | contribs) (start article from translation of French article)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)The French Labour Court elections (Élections prud'homales françaises) were held every five years to elect the lay judges, known as conseillers prud'homaux, who arbitrated individual labor disputes within the Conseil de prud'hommes (Labour Courts). These courts were specialized jurisdictions tasked with resolving conflicts between employees and employers governed by labor law.
The elections were abolished in 2014, with the last elections having taken place in **2008**, and the final elected mandate of councilors concluding on **December 31, 2017**.
Purpose
The Labor Court elections served as a mechanism to select nearly 15,000 lay judges who represented the interests of both employees and employers in disputes over employment contracts, dismissals, or other labor-related conflicts. The elections were also a means to measure the influence of trade unions and employer organizations based on their electoral support.
Election Process
The elections were organized as proportional representation lists, with separate colleges for **employees** and **employers**. The employee college consisted of candidates representing trade unions, while employer organizations fielded candidates for the employer college. Voting was open to individuals aged 16 or older who were employed or job-seeking under the French labor code, including foreign workers.
The elected councilors served a five-year term, with the presidency and vice-presidency of the courts alternating annually between representatives of employees and employers to maintain parity.
2008 Elections
The 2008 Labor Court elections marked the last instance of this electoral process. Voter turnout was notably low, with **74.5% of employees** and **68.5% of employers** abstaining from voting. This low participation, along with the high costs of organizing the elections (estimated at €91.6 million), contributed to calls for reform.
Abolition of Elections
In **2014**, the French Parliament passed a law abolishing the direct election of labor court councilors. Starting in **2018**, councilors were appointed jointly by the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Labor, based on lists submitted by representative professional organizations. This change followed a transitional period that extended the mandate of the 2008-elected councilors until **December 31, 2017**.
The abolition was part of broader labor reforms aimed at simplifying administrative processes and reducing costs.
Legacy
The Labor Court elections were historically significant as a reflection of labor relations and trade union strength in France. Despite their discontinuation, the **Conseil de prud'hommes** continues to operate as a key institution for resolving individual labor disputes, with councilors now selected through a nomination process.
See Also
References
- ^ Ministère de la Justice, "Présentation des conseils de prud'hommes," February 6, 2017.
- Huffington Post, "Les élections prud'homales vont disparaître, pourquoi cela vous concerne," March 4, 2016.
- "Règlement des élections de 2008," Service-public.fr.
- Le Monde, "Élections prud'homales: un taux d'abstention record," December 4, 2008.
- Richard & Pascal, "Rapport Richard sur l'évolution des prud'hommes," 2010, pp. 17-18.
- Assemblée Nationale, "Loi relative à la suppression des élections prud'homales," November 20, 2014.