Unions demand more prevention against accidents and wear and tear at work

In an open letter, the CFDT, the CGT, FO, the CFE-CGC, the CFTC, the Unsa, Solidaires and the FSU welcome the announcement made on March 27 by Prime Minister Gabriel Attal of a "great initiative" on the subject of accidents and deaths at work, which are too numerous in France with two deaths per day.

“Our organizations are determined to improve working conditions and cannot resign ourselves to the fact that work accidents and occupational illnesses which are avoidable are not the subject of anticipation and preventive measures,” write trade unions.

They invite the minister to “urgently question the limits of a policy reducing the powers of staff representatives” and to “reestablish and strengthen” the health commissions (CSSCT).

Abolished since 2020, the health, safety and working conditions committees (CHSCT) could notably appoint experts, which the CSSCTs can no longer.

The unions also demand "the strengthening of the number of prevention officers (for safety at work) and the labor inspectorate" as well as "the removal of exemptions for the assignment of young people to so-called 'dangerous' work".

On the occasion of the World Day for Safety and Health at Work on Sunday, the CGT will organize a symbolic action on Thursday at noon with associations of families of victims, as well as a demonstration at 14 p.m. from the Ministry of Ecological Transition in management of the Ministry of Labor.