ICEM, Rhodia Take Health, Safety Agenda to Shop Floor in Freiburg, Germany

The ICEM reviewed and extended its Global Framework Agreement (GFA) with French-based chemical multinational Rhodia covering 15,000 workers in March 2008 with a series of new initiatives. One of those includes a joint initiative on workers’ health and safety through a global safety partnership committee.

ICEM and Rhodia agreed to have an addendum to the agreement that clarifies terms and conditions of the global committee. This is expected to be finalised this autumn following ICEM consultations with its affiliated unions that represent Rhodia workers.

While the discussions are ongoing, a first-ever joint activity regarding health and safety was held at Rhodia’s subsidiary in Freiburg, Germany, on 19 June.

The ICEM was represented by Chemicals and Rubber Officers Kemal Özkan and Health, Safety, and Sustainable Development Officer Brian Kohler, and representatives from German affiliated union IGBCE, which represents workers at the plant, attended. The IGBCE’s Michael Wolters from union headquarters in Hannover was present, as was IGBCE regional representative Wilfried Pernshorn, and Works Council members Cornelia Kainz and Hans Peter Rich.

Rhodia was represented by Yolene Coppin, Jacques Kheliff, and Jean Paul Perez, all from the company’s Paris headquarters, and by Raimund Hinsen, Uwe Männel, and Hans-Ulrich Lutz, managers at the Freiburg plant.

That facility, called Rhodia Acetow, produces chemicals such as filters, flakes, and anhydrides. The joint mission heard presentations on the plant’s economic and employment situation, and on health, safety, and environmental indicators. After touring the various sections of the plant, the group made an evaluation on the current situation of Rhodia Acetow and discussed a future action plan.

“This is an important step forward in the GFA with Rhodia,” said the ICEM’s Özkan. “Dealing with health and safety at the global scale, using the substantial contributions offered on a plant by plant basis, will keep standards high and serve to harmonise the standards across all company plants throughout the world.”