France advances salary‑transparency legislation

French Labour Minister Jean‑Pierre Farandou announced that a draft law transposing the EU pay‑transparency directive will be sent to the Council of State by June 7, with a view to adoption by the end of the year. The proposal would oblige companies to publish salary ranges in job adverts and grant employees the right to obtain information on pay for work of equal value, broken down by gender. It introduces reporting duties that vary with firm size and sanctions for unjustified gender pay gaps, including possible financial penalties. The law also bans asking job candidates about their previous salaries. Farandou said, "We have decided to launch the law‑making process: the draft will be transmitted to the Council of State by Sunday, 7 June." The measure follows an EU deadline missed by France and aims to address disparities such as the 21.8 % overall gender pay gap in the private sector (3.6 % for equal work) and the broader income inequality highlighted by INSEE. CGT secretary‑general Sophie Binet welcomed the step, calling it "excellent news" while urging further progress.