1974
Creation of the wage guarantee scheme
The AGS (Association pour la Gestion du régime de Garantie des créances des Salariés) was created in early 1974 to meet employees' need for protection.
The bankruptcy of the LIP company marked a decisive turning point in the creation of the employee claims guarantee scheme. It was the starting point for an awareness in the world of work, of the lack of protection for employees in the event of their employer's bankruptcy, and for an employer initiative to implement this protection scheme.
François CEYRAC, Chairman of the CNPF (formerly MEDEF) in 1973, played a decisive role in proposing the idea of a social protection scheme for employees in the event of their employer's bankruptcy.
AGS was created under the law of December 27, 1973, by the CNPF (Conseil National du Patronat Français, now renamed MEDEF), the CGPME (Confédération des Petites et Moyennes Entreprises) and the CNMCCA (Confédération Nationale de la Mutualité de la Coopération du Crédit Agricole). From the outset, operational management of the guarantee scheme was entrusted to Unédic by AGS, under a management mandate.
2000
Strengthening the role of AGS
AGS asks to be appointed as controller in cases involving more than 50 employees. It is more closely involved in insolvency proceedings, alongside the court-appointed representatives, and gives its opinion on the outcome of the proceedings, in the same way as it does on sale offers and draft recovery plans.
AGS also anticipates changes in its environment and the growing importance of European issues in its field of activity. As such, it initiates exchanges with its counterparts in European Union member countries.
2020/2021
Mobilization in the face of the Covid-19 crisis
From March 2020, AGS is mobilizing to deal with the Covid-19 crisis. It adapts its organizational methods to ensure continuity of service for its beneficiaries from the start of the lockdown, and takes exceptional measures to assist companies in difficulty and support employees impacted: the AGS guarantee is linked to the "Covid-19 partial activity measures", and companies in difficulty had the option of deferring the AGS employer's contribution.
In 2021, AGS continues to provide exceptional support to beneficiary companies and employees in an unprecedented crisis context, by extending the measures put in place to deal with the Covid-19 crisis.
1985/1987
Extension of AGS's scope of intervention
A law passed in 1985 extends the scope of AGS intervention, previously limited to wages, vacation pay and bonuses, to include new wage claims, notably severance pay. It also broadened the categories of employees covered by the guarantee and extended it to the French overseas departments.
In 1987, the scope of intervention is further extended. AGS now finances training courses for employees made redundant for economic reasons, as part of redeployment schemes.
1996
Creation of the Délégation Unedic AGS
The reform of September 1, 1996 marks a break in the management of the wage guarantee scheme, and leads to the creation of Délégation Unédic AGS (DUA), a Unédic establishment totally dedicated to the exercise of the management mandate.
Since 1996, the technical and financial management of AGS is entrusted to a dedicated establisment: the Délégation Unédic AGS.
In liaison with the AGS bodies, it carries out the 3 essential missions of advances, recovery and litigation.
In practical terms, this change means :
- greater efficiency in carrying out these missions
- greater consistency in the application of texts and decisions
- greater authority in dialogue with all those involved in insolvency proceedings.
2009
Service quality commitments
2009 was a key year in the development of AGS's service strategy, with the drafting of a quality reference framework and the deployment of service quality commitments. This approach involves every employee of the Wage Guarantee Scheme as a player in progress, to meet the challenges of our missions ever more effectively, and to provide quality services that are increasingly adapted to the expectations of our partners in collective procedures and AGS guarantee beneficiaries.
2024
A new horizon for the wage guarantee scheme
In 2024, AGS celebrates 50 years of commitment and solidarity. The AGS continues to evolve, transferring the staff and activities of the Délégation Unédic AGS to the AGS, and is now responsible for the operational management of the Régime de garantie des salaires.
For 50 years, the Wage Guarantee Scheme (AGS) has supported companies in difficulty and their employees. Since its creation, it has always adapted to changes in its legal, economic and social environment, responded to successive economic crises, and offered its know-how to its beneficiaries (employees and companies in difficulty) with the utmost responsiveness.
For over 25 years, the operational management of the wage guarantee scheme has been handled by the Délégation Unédic AGS, a dedicated Unédic establishment, in liaison with AGS bodies.
Today, a new page in the Scheme's history is being turned, with the transfer of the Délégation Unédic AGS's staff and activities to AGS.
Unédic continues to carry out certain tasks relating to the financing and cash management of the Scheme on behalf of AGS.