WAGE STRUCTURE IN FRANCE: THE PROBLEM OF WAGE HIERARCHY

The purpose of this article is to present some observations on the distinctive characteristics of wage structure in France. These observations will be set out in two parts. Firstly, the changing pattern of wage structure in French industry during recent years will be examined. Secondly, comparisons will be made between the structure of wages in France and in the four major countries of the Common Market prior to its enlargement. The objective is to discover how far recent changes in the French situation and possibly in that of the other countries have either tended to produce a convergence between their pay structures or, on the other hand, have reinforced international differences.