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BNP Paribas, UNI Finance and its affiliates, and FECEC signed an "Equal Opportunity" agreement for all the BNP employees across Europe during the next three years. This agreement is the second part of a European Social Charter signed in 2012 with BNP Paribas.

Yves Martrenchar (Head of BNP Human Resources), Elise Buckle (UNI Finance), Sébastien Busiris (National Secretary of FO Banques) and Gabriel di Letizia the Secretary of the European Works Council were present for the signature and ceremony that took place in Paris on the 16th of September.

After several months of negotiations between the company and the unions, the final text was adopted by unanimity at the European Works Council meeting in June 2014. This agreement sets some important guidelines, objectives and principles to promote gender equality withing the company. It does not replace national legislations or other national collective agreements but aims at further developing social dialogue at European level.

"This agreement is particularly innovative and can be an example for other multinationals operating in Europe" said Gabriel Di Letizia.

" This is a first in the financial sector," added Sebastian Busiris for FO.

For Elise Buckle, " This is an excellent step forward. UNI Finance will contiune to promote gender equality in the finance sector and will now explore the possibility of signing a global framework agreement with BNP Paribas worldwide."

BNP Paribas commitments include to:

• Ensure equal opportunities in career management,  recruitment, Career Development and access to training
• Pursue equal pay between women and men and manage potential wage gaps
• Provide specific support before during and after maternity leave
• Contribute to a better balance between work and private life 
• Include provisions related to motherhood , parenting and adoption and options for part-time work
• Encourage women's networks ( including MixCity and Diversity Officers )
• Promote diversity of staff representatives.

Elise Buckle UNI Finance to "continue working to ensure that workplace equality applies worldwide and specifically in the 19 countries covered by the European Committee BNPP UNI Finance 's signing of this agreement is intended to "

The unions will now ensure the implementation of this agreement through regular follow-up meetings with management .