INTERVIEW – With the El Khomri law, the governance of occupational health services becomes equal. A positive “earthquake” for Dr Salengro of the CFE-CGC union.
Always decried in the street, the El Khomri Law has just caused an “earthquake in the field of occupational health”. This is the expression used by the CFE-CGC (1) union which in a press release published on Wednesday welcomes “the new” parity “governance which will change all social dialogue! “
In more detail, it is the modification of article L. 4622-11 of the text of the Minister of Labor which will make it possible to “avoid deterioration of health due to work and this in accordance with European regulations”, estimates Dr Bernard Salengro. Contacted by Why actor, the president of the CFE-CGC Occupational Health officially asks the legislator not to modify this article.
What does this modification change in the governance of health services?
Dr Bernard Salengro : This article modification is fundamental. In occupational health services, it will no longer be the employers who will decide. Today, the latter have the means to put pressure on the doctors and the teams that revolve around the practitioners. Tomorrow, it will be a balanced group between employers and employee representatives who will make the decisions. It’s so huge that employers are currently trying to break this. We will no longer be able to do anything in the occupational health services. Especially since the financial accounts will now be transparent.
Is this new governance a surprise for you?
Dr Bernard Salengro : It’s something that I have been asking for for fifteen years. I still do not believe it but this modification was officially adopted with article 49-3. Concretely, this will mean that priority will be given to improving working conditions.
Take the example of an employee for whom we realize that there is a hearing loss following an audiogram taken during a medical visit. Now, the employee can speak to the board of directors or during joint meetings between social partners and employees.
So, if after investigation, we notice that an engine near the worker is making too much noise, we can change it. Before, we stopped after the report of the medical examination.
Visit deleted at will hiring by law be reintroduced?
Dr Bernard Salengro : Yes and no, we always denounce this measure because the occupational physicians must continue to see people. The hope is that this new governance will impose medical visits.
But our fear is that the El Khomri law will also weaken the unions. However, the planned modification is especially valid for small companies because large ones often have their own health service. In small structures, where a means company is called upon, the governance of the chosen health service will soon be half employers and half employees within the board. If an employee is dissatisfied, he can go and complain to his representatives, and be heard, during a vote for example.
Dr Bernard Salengro, President of the CFE-CGC: ” If there are no trade unionists in your area, that will not change anything. Employees will also be represented… “
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