The general secretary of the CGT Sophie Binet denounces a “very strong acceleration in the deterioration of the situation” concerning social plans in France. According to her, around 200,000 jobs would be threatened and 250 social plans in preparation.
The number is only increasing. According to Sophie Binet, general secretary of the CGT, 250 social plans are “in preparation” in several sectors, notably the automobile, aerospace, and mass distribution, and would concern 200,000 jobs. This count, carried out by the CGT, already estimated that 33,000 jobs in May were already affected by 150 social plans.
“These plans take place mainly in large companies, restructuring risks having consequences on small subcontractors, who are much more numerous,” she explains. She fears “a tidal wave” and “an industrial bloodletting”.
The general secretary of the CGT, in office since March 2023, denounces the “responsibility of large companies”. According to her, the latter preferred to “increase their margins and their prices to increase their dividends”, which led to a domination of investments, wages in constant euros “and therefore a reduction in consumption”.
The President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron is also in his sights. According to her, the supply-side policy pursued since 2017, and the arrival to power of the former minister of François Hollande, is “a political shipwreck”.
“Real general statements of the industry”
Still in the same interview, the first woman elected general secretary of the CGT gives her vision of things and her solutions. In particular, she wants the Florange law to be strengthened.
As a reminder, this law requires an employer to look for a buyer in the event of a plan to close a factory. She wants it to be extended to SMEs with 50 employees or more, compared to 1,000 employees currently.
Sophie Binet also advocates for a “return to regulated prices” of energy for industry, but also “more protective” customs barriers.
And beyond these proposed solutions, it above all calls for the establishment of “real general statements of the industry to put everything back on track”.
