Eramet : Agreement to set up the Eramet Global Forum

The mining group Eramet (9,090 employees) has set up a “Global Forum” to handle transnational issues concerning the Group’s main host countries: France including New Caledonia, Gabon, Norway, Senegal and Argentina. Within this forum, employee representatives “will exchange views with each other and with Group management regarding Eramet’s strategy, CSR commitments and development projects”. They will also be able “to negotiate agreements applicable to all employees in areas such as social protection, quality of life at work, parental issues, as well as diversity and inclusion” (see press release). The company’s EWC will now form part of this new body but “will retain its legal powers in terms of information and consultation procedures”. The EWC was at risk of disappearing, as a result of the company’s shrinking workforce in Europe (1,629 employees in 2022, including 755 in France). The EGF was established by means of an agreement signed on 5 July by and between management and the trade union federations within the group (it will be posted on line once management has given its agreement). The forum will meet twice a year. It is allowed to set up working parties and organise a visit once a year to a country, and has a budget of 30,000 euros at its disposal. Other than the training provided at the start of a forum member’s term of office, all training (4 days during a four-year term of office) will be delivered via videoconferencing).