Background information

On 3 May 2020, the Ministry of Labour published a National deconfinement protocol to help and support companies and associations, regardless of their size, activity and geographical location, to resume their activity while ensuring the protection of their employees' health through universal rules. This protocol was updated on 24 June 2020. It replaces the version put online on 3 May 2020, but also the 90 guides and job descriptions co-developed by the Ministry of Labour, the health authorities, the professional branches and the social partners.

Content of measure

The protocol relaxes the rules applicable in the workplace and facilitates the return to normal economic activity while respecting the current health rules set by the High Council for Public Health (HCSP).

It is divided into 6 separate parts and 3 annexes and provides further details on:

• the procedures for implementing protective measures in the company within the framework of a social dialogue;
• measures to protect employees;
• personal protective equipment (PPE);
• screening tests;
• Protocol for the management of a symptomatic person and his/her close contacts;
• Temperature taking.

Appendix 1: Some good practices to promote in the management of the flow of people Appendix 2: Cleaning / disinfecting surfaces and ventilating the premises: practical arrangements Appendix 3: Masks

Use of measure

The protocol applies to the whole private sector employees (companies and non-for profit organisations).

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Employees in standard employment Workers in non-standard forms of employment	Applies to all businesses	Does not apply to citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government	No special funding required

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	Informed	Informed
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• No involvement
• Main level of involvement: Peak or cross-sectoral level

Involvement

Social partners were not involved in the design of the measure (or only few of them and informally). Once it was published, social partners have reacted and new versions included their comments.

Views and reactions

Globally supportive. However some concerns and disagreement: social partners were not involved in the design. According to the main employers' organisation MEDEF, some provisions included in the protocole are in contradiction with measures agreed at sectoral-level in the guide elaborated by social partners and the Ministry of Labour. Trade unions also disagreed on the position of the Ministry of Labour that stated that an employer who respects the guidelines cannot be sued by employees in the event of contamination.

Sources

• 21 July 2020: Protocole national de déconfinement pour les entreprises pour assurer la sécurité et la santé des salariés (travail-emploi.gouv.fr)