On March 12, the Paris Judicial Court ruled against the Rocher Group - Yves Rocher Plant Biology Laboratories - for failing in its duty of vigilance towards the employees of its Turkish subsidiary. This landmark decision comes after years of struggle for recognition of 132 unfair dismissals. ---- In 2018, the story shook the Turkish labor movement: female workers at Kosan Kozmetik, a Rocher Group subsidiary in Turkey, were laid off en masse. They had recently joined the Petrol-Is union and were demanding improved working conditions and an end to gender discrimination in the factory. 300 days of struggle later, the group offered a paltry severance package and continues to refuse their reinstatement. Thirty-four female workers, supported by their union and the associations Sherpa and Action Aid, then took their boss to court in France.
A partial victory... This is not the first scandal to tarnish the reputation of the Rocher Group[1]. The group was already convicted in 2021 by the Rennes Court of Appeal for falsified promotions. A boycott campaign was also launched following its continued operations in Russia, a country embroiled in an imperialist war. French protests against the multinational resumed in 2023 when it announced the closure of its Ploëmel factory in Brittany, along with the elimination of 300 jobs by 2026.
This time, since the Turkish subsidiary has not been under the Rocher Group's control since 2024, only financial compensation was considered by the French courts. The court ultimately ruled that the layoffs were carried out to prevent a union from establishing itself! While the associations were only seeking symbolic compensation of one euro, the court ordered Petrol-Is to pay 40,000 euros and the former employees 8,000 euros. It should be noted, however, that only nine employees were heard by the court, as the tribunal concluded that those who accepted the compensation offered in 2019 had already received redress. This decision was handed down with immediate effect, and the Rocher Group has already announced its right to appeal.
...which marks a turning point in history. The Paris Judicial Court thus rejected the application of Turkish law, prioritizing the responsibility of French companies towards their foreign subsidiaries. This decision comes at a crucial time for our union struggles. Last November, the European right and far right voted hand in hand to dismantle due diligence laws[2]. The court ruling recognizing the repression of union activity against the female workers at Kosan Kozmetik thus serves as a reminder of these companies' responsibilities in their foreign factories. While La Poste was symbolically condemned in 2023 for failing to uphold due diligence, the Rocher Group is the first French company to receive a court order requiring it to financially compensate for its actions outside of France. This decision could set a precedent and impact proceedings against Casino and its appropriation of Brazilian indigenous lands, or Total Energies and its fossil fuel expansion policy.
Ness (UCL Marseille)
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[1]13,500 employees and over EUR2.2 billion in revenue in 2024.
[2]The Duty of Vigilance Law, in force since 2017 in France and in 2024 in Europe, requires large companies to prevent risks of human rights and environmental abuses in their foreign subsidiaries.
https://www.unioncommunistelibertaire.org/?Devoir-de-vigilance-Yves-gros-cheh
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Source: A-infos-en@ainfos.ca
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