GE had committed to create 1,000 net new jobs by the end of this year when it bought Alstom's energy business in 2015, but had created only 323 by the end of April, the Finance Ministry said in a statement.

After GE Chief Executive John Flannery informed Le Maire the target was now "out of reach", Le Maire asked him to ensure that "GE take all necessary measures to comply to the best of its abilities" with its commitments.

(Reporting by Leigh Thomas; editing by Michel Rose)