Sustainable development

The diversity policy is directed by a Diversity committee comprising of representatives from all the entities. "Equal opportunities" training for HR and operational managers designed to combat discrimination. Thirteen agreements covering gender equality were signed in 2008.

A particular effort was made in 2009 on integrating people with disabilities into the workforce. 618 people with disabilities worked forFrench subsidiaries in 2009. Six new agreements were concluded between French subsidiaries and AGEFIPH, a French government agency promoting the employment of disabled people, while a network of 22 HR and purchasing professionals, working in pairs, succeeded in increasing purchases from the sheltered sector by 66% in 2009. Campaigns to raise awareness were organised, such as the Handitour, a road show visiting numerous sites and making contact with some 6,000 employees. All the Group's French subsidiaries signed agreements on employing older people in 2009.