French postal operator La Poste is now officially a limited liability company. Despite opposition from postal workers and unions, the change was approved by the French Government earlier this year.

La Poste, suffering a decline in its business profits recently, reported that the change of status was a necessary part of its modernisation plans. The Government said the company would remain state-controlled, but the move would allow more scope for investment – including a 2.7bn Euro cash injection. 

Postal unions had protested that the move would lead to job losses and last year staged a series of strikes.