Tue, 3 Feb 2009

Multi-sector recruiter Manpower is to appeal against a decision by the Competition Council in France.

The Competition Council declared that Manpower’s French operating unit had engaged in anti-competitive conduct in violation of French law between March 2003 to November 2004.

Manpower’s French unit is to be fined €42m (£37.9m) following an investigation at the French unit’s headquarters in November 2004.

Kenneth Hunt, senior vice president and chief legal officer at Manpower, says the Council’s decision and imposition of the fine was unwarranted and that Manpower plans to appeal the case.

“We are very concerned by the decision of the Competition Council, as we take seriously our commitment to the highest standards of ethical business practice as well as ensuring that we are in full compliance with the laws of the communities we serve.

“The Council’s holding that our French operation was broadly engaged in a concerted practice to avoid competition on price is not supported by the facts of the case and the fine imposed by the Council is excessive as a measure of the damage to the economy that the fine is supposed to reflect.

“Regardless, since 2004 we have taken further steps to improve our compliance and training programmes in an effort to prevent any future issues of this nature.”