Managed social dialogue on protocols for resuming activity

 

Franca SALIS-MADINIER
French Democratic Confederation of Labour (CFDT)

First, we launched an online information and helpline service to respond to workers' requests and support them during this period (most concerned their rights, working conditions or wages during this time). We also provided the necessary equipment for all workers on our premises to telework and held daily or weekly virtual cafes and meetings to keep them connected.

In order to begin the phase of returning to the office, we introduced safety measures (masks, hydroalcoholic gel, safety distance marks on the floor, careful daily office cleaning service).

Here are some of the priorities we are promoting at national level, in social dialogue and negotiations with either the government or each company/administration:

  • social dialogue, safeguarding quality work and recovery for companies and administrations; (working conditions, personal protective equipment, labour rights, etc.);
  • recognising the professions that carry a highly added social value, that face an explosion of unemployment, that need concrete solutions or solutions adapted to the diversity of the situation and mobilising actions to limit the number of job cuts and better support those mostly affected by unemployment;
  • response to the state of emergency of the most vulnerable groups in the crisis;
  • recognising workers who have been most affected by the crisis (health, real estate, retail, food industry). It is a fact that this pandemic crisis has created several different work schemes: those teleworking are protected both financially and as far as health and safety are concerned, while those on partial unemployment have benefited from public subsidies (despite a net loss of wages);
  • refocusing on the economy's production pact, on its two initial objectives: the de-carbonisation of the industry and the target of total employment - based, in all areas, on ecological transition contracts, industrial territories, the circular economy, agriculture, industrial ecology, but also the conditionality of public aid and public procurement regarding these ecological and social objectives.

Work organisation