A question for…Estelle Devos, FCE-CFDT trade union representative and secretary of the EDF Group’s Global Dialogue Committee on Social and Environmental Responsibility

What are the main areas of progress for the EDF Group in the new global agreement on CSR, compared to the first version, signed in 2018?
Speaking as a negotiator, I’m convinced that this new global framework agreement represents significant progress, compared to the previous one signed in 2018. It’s an ambitious and appealing text, which can serve as a benchmark for other large groups.
The text clearly states that no infringements of basic human rights will be tolerated, and establishes “zero tolerance” of harassment, discrimination and all forms of violence at work. Il also sets higher occupational health and safety targets, by seeking to eradicate not only fatal accidents at work, as did the 2018 agreement, but also serious accidents, going forward. Lastly, the agreement contains several new chapters covering topics such as due diligence, use of artificial intelligence, the just transition and environmental and climate issues.
The text, which is due to be officially unveiled at a ceremony on 12 February, has been co-signed on behalf of the EDF Group by its CEO Luc Rémont, and by all of the trade union federations represented within the group’s various companies around the world.
In terms of governance, the EDF group’s Global Dialogue Committee on Social and Environmental Responsibility is chaired either by the CEO of EDF SA, or a duly mandated person, and is made up of 25 representatives of EDF Group employees, appointed by their trade unions. It’s headed up by a secretary, who will now have an annual time credit of 80 days to coordinate the work of committee members.
In addition to these changes in governance, every year there will also be a two-day plenary meeting, a minimum of two steering committee meetings and a site visit.