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French Telecom Suicides Spark Official Unease

Firm's chief to meet with labor minister

By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 12, 2009 4:54 PM CDT

(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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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
dax
Sep 13, 2009 2:28 AM CDT
Samurai who follow the way of Bushido.
passinthru
Sep 12, 2009 11:23 AM CDT
Japanese Ronin.

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