French authorities have searched the Paris offices of global recruiter Manpower as part of a probe into alleged breaches of competition law.

Officials are investigating a joint internet venture made between Manpower and two other recruiters, the Dutch company Vedior and the French arm of Adecco.

The French regional director of competition inquiries obtained a search warrant and investigated Manpower’s French headquarters on 30 November.

Under the terms of the warrant, officials were permitted to review and obtain documents for evidence of price fixing and allocation of market share in France.

“Our French management team is co-operating with the French authorities in this matter, with assistance from staff based in our international headquarters in the US,” said Jeffrey Joerres, chairman and chief executive of Manpower.

John Nurthen, director of corporate affairs for Vedior, revealed that no formal charges had been issued but refused to comment until the investigations had finished.