'13 suicides are only the beginning!' - French rail workers march against restructuring of state rail operator SNCF

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'13 suicides are only the beginning!' - French rail workers march against restructuring of state rail operator SNCF

"French rail unions protested in Paris on Wednesday against the government and state rail operator SNCF, calling for action over ongoing restructuring in the public rail sector. CGT Union spokesperson Matthieu Bolle Reddat pointed to 'resignations, burnout and numerous sick leaves' as clear signs of the distress faced by the workforce. "These 13 suicides, which are only the beginning, are because many people confide in us about their suffering, their difficulties, and their unhappiness. They no longer recognise the company they work for," Reddat said. Sud Rail's Fabien Villedieu cited declining morale and safety, stressing rising layoffs and accidents are key indicators that employees are on the brink amid job insecurity. "There were 1,800 layoffs in 2025, a 15 percent increase; workplace accidents have skyrocketed by 20 percent, and now we’ve had 13 suicides since the start of the year, that's one suicide every 12 days," Villedieu added. Footage shows protesters marching through the capital waving flares, flags, and signs, as police monitored the demonstration. It comes after France has seen repeated nationwide strikes in recent years, particularly over pension reform. The state rail operator SNCF has gradually liberalised in line with EU rules, opening rail services to competition, which unions say has increased pressure on staff and eroded working conditions. Meanwhile, protesters also opposed the French government's refusal to nationalise ArcelorMittal's French sites, amid concerns over potential job losses. ArcelorMittal remains one of Europe's largest steel producers with major operations in France and has faced ongoing uncertainty due to global competition, uneven demand and rising costs."

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