France: another court order to halt resumption of activity due to failure to sufficiently involve staff representatives

Following a similar decision taken recently against Amazon France (see article n°11881), a court in Le Havre ordered Renault on 7 May to halt activity at its plant in Sandouville or face a fine. In order for business at the site to resume, management must start from scratch the information and consultation procedure regarding how the recommencement of activity will be organised, review its risk assessment document and include psychosocial risks, and review the plans and protocols for prevention when it comes to external companies. All this must be done in close cooperation with staff representatives. Finally, before staff come back to work, each employee has to be given practical training on personal protection equipment.
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After the case was brought by the CGT trade union, the Le Havre court issued an interim order on Thursday 7 May. It requires the Renault plant in Sandouville, near Le Havre, to suspend its activities, which had resumed on 28 April, until management has fulfilled a series of obligations. Under French law, employee representatives can take urgent legal action for a management decision to be deferred if their rights to information and consultation have not been respected.

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