La poste asks for state aid for 35 hour week

For the second time La Poste, the French post office, has asked the state for help with switching to the 35 hour week. In 1999 it was refused on the grounds that it manages a monopoly, but it can now say that in 2001 55 per cent of its activity was in a competitive market.

The management board of La Poste, which met at the end of December, has decided to re-formulate its request to the government, according to consistent sources. The finance ministry has promised to study the matter. Yesterday La Poste declined to comment.

Abstracted from Le Figaro Abstracted from Le Figaro in French. Copyright 2002 Financial Times Information Limited. Source: Financial Times Information Limited>