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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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French Telecom Suicides Spark Official Unease

Firm's chief to meet with labor minister

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(Newser) – A spate of suicides by workers at a French telecommunications company is prompting a meeting between the firm's CEO and France's labor minister, the BBC reports. Since last year, 23 employees of France Telecom have killed themselves; unions blame tough management practices, but the firm, which was privatized in 1998, maintains that its suicide count is normal for a company with a workforce of 100,000.

Yesterday marked the latest suicide when an employee leaped to her death in Paris. Earlier this week, a 49-year-old man plunged a knife into his stomach after learning that he was being transferred; he is now recovering at a hospital. Unions say the firm’s transition to a private company has stressed out employees. France Telecom is promising to hire more counselors to help staffers but insists most suicides stem from personal, not professional, causes.

France Telecom CEO Didier Lombard will meet with French Labour Minister Xavier Darcos to discuss a number of suicides among its staff.
France Telecom CEO Didier Lombard will meet with French Labour Minister Xavier Darcos to discuss a number of suicides among its staff.   (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
The corporate logo of France Telecom is shown with the Charles de Gaulle square in the background March 5, 2003 in Paris.
The corporate logo of France Telecom is shown with the Charles de Gaulle square in the background March 5, 2003 in Paris.   (Getty Images)
Twenty-three employees of France Telecom have killed themselves since the beginning of 2008.
Twenty-three employees of France Telecom have killed themselves since the beginning of 2008.   (AP Photo/Jacques Brinon, File)
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5 comments
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Collusive
Sep 12, 09 5:18 PM CDT
Who tries to kill themselves by stabbing their stomach? Reply
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Reader64481089
Sep 12, 09 6:00 PM CDT
They broke down after being subjected to constant news feeds of the Birther movement :) j/k
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passinthru
Sep 12, 09 6:23 PM CDT
Japanese Ronin.
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dax
Sep 12, 09 9:28 PM CDT
Samurai who follow the way of Bushido.
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lthurman
Sep 12, 09 9:35 PM CDT
And some follow the way of Bushidiot. Reply
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