Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2025, published 114th ILC session (2026)

Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No. 187) - France (Ratification: 2014)

The Committee notes the observations of the French Democratic Confederation of Labour (CFDT), received on 22 September 2025, as well as the Government’s reply in this respect.

Article 2(3) of the Convention. Consideration of the ratification of relevant occupational safety and health (OSH) Conventions of the ILO. Further to its previous comments, the Committee notes with interest the information in the Government’s report concerning developments towards the ratification of the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155). The Committee also notes the enactment of the Act of 22 October 2025 authorizing the ratification of the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155). The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on any new developments in this regard and on the periodic consideration, in consultation with the most representative organizations of employers and workers, of measures that could be taken to ratify relevant OSH Conventions of the ILO.

Article 3(1). National policy on OSH. Further to its previous comments, the Committee takes due note of the Government’s indications that the assessment of the Plan for the prevention of serious and fatal occupational accidents (PATGM) 2022–25 shows that actions have been satisfactorily implemented and that a consolidated assessment of the PATGM, the fourth occupational health plan (PST 4) and the regional occupational health plans is being carried out with the social partners. The Government specifies that this assessment is a prerequisite for defining the fifth occupational health plan, which will be launched in 2026. The Committee also notes the observations of the CFDT, indicating that while a national interoccupational agreement of May 2023 has enabled the recruitment of engineers and administrative staff for occupational health funds, their numbers, as well as those of inspectors, occupational physicians and labour inspectors, must be increased in order to implement an occupational health and safety policy and prevent serious and fatal accidents and occupational illnesses, which are still too numerous. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in this respect, concerning the budgetary resources for OSH, including an increase in the resources allocated to prevention in the new agreement on objectives and management for the “occupational accidents and diseases” branch of the general system, signed in 2024. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the consolidated assessment mentioned above, on the definition of the fifth occupational health plan and its implementation and on consultations with the social partners in this regard.

Article 4(2)(d). Arrangements to promote, at the level of the undertaking, cooperation as an essential element of workplace-related prevention measures. The Committee notes that, in reply to its previous comments on cooperation between social and economic committees (CSEs), committees on health, safety and conditions of work (CSSCTs) and local representatives, the Government indicates that it was the intention of the legislature to give enterprise stakeholders considerable leeway. According to the Government, the law therefore allows agreements in enterprises to define the number, appointment procedures, operating procedures and powers of local representatives, including with regard to OSH. The Government nevertheless provides guidance in a document entitled “CSE Questions and Answers.” The Committee notes the observations of the CFDT, raising new concerns about the reform, noting waning interest in OSH issues, distancing between elected representatives and employees, a lack of local representatives in enterprises in practice and insufficient OSH training for CSEs. In response, the Government indicates that training for elected health and safety representatives has already been increased, with a minimum duration of five days during the first term of office for all CSE members. Noting these indications, the Committee requests the Governmentto provide further information on the proportion of enterprises that have established CSEs in practice, if such information is available, as well as on the arrangements made to promote such cooperation as an essential element of workplace-related prevention measures, including any measures taken to resolve the difficulties identified.

Article 4(3)(f). Mechanism for the collection and analysis of data on occupational injuries and diseases. The Committee notes the observations of the CFDT, raising concerns about the under-reporting of occupational accidents and diseases, as well as the under-recognition of occupational diseases. The Committee also notes the Government’s reply, which highlights the role of various research institutions and social security systems in producing analyses and data on occupational accidents and diseases. The Government indicates that under-reporting is due to various factors, including sometimes insufficient knowledge among healthcare professionals and employees. In this regard, the Government indicates that information campaigns have led to more reporting of occupational diseases since 2021. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on any measures taken to support or strengthen mechanisms for the collection and analysis of data on occupational injuries and diseases.

Article 4(3)(h). Support mechanisms for a progressive improvement of occupational safety and health conditions in microenterprises, in small and medium-sized enterprises and in the informal economy. Further to its previous comments, the Committee notes the information provided by the Government on the results achieved under the PST 4 and PATGM, including the adaptation of various tools for very small, small and medium-sized enterprises. The Committee takes note of this information, which addresses its previous request.

In addition, the Committee recalls its pending comments regarding the ratified technical OSH Conventions (the Radiation Protection Convention, 1960 (No. 115), Maximum Weight Convention, 1967 (No. 127), Occupational Cancer Convention, 1974 (No. 139), Working Environment (Air Pollution, Noise and Vibration) Convention, 1977 (No. 148), and Safety and Health in Agriculture Convention, 2001 (No. 184)), adopted by the Committee in 2023 (Conventions Nos 115, 127, 139 and 148) and in 2024 (Convention No. 184), for which the Government will be requested to reply in accordance with the reporting cycle.