Freyming-Merlebach. François Dosso: "A decline in rights is to be feared for thousands of victims of work."

In a press release from the collective of former miners' federations (CGT, CFDT, CFTC, FO-CGC) and the associations Andeva, Cavam, Fnath, and Adevat-MP, you explained that the rights of victims of work-related crimes are in danger. Can you elaborate on your concerns?

François Dosso, spokesperson for the collective : "According to our information, the Social Security Directorate (DSS), in conjunction with the Occupational Risks Directorate (DRP) of the National Health Insurance Fund for Salaried Workers (CNAMTS), is seeking a modification to Article L 461-1 of the Social Security Code for 2026. This article concerns the recognition of occupational diseases. The modification would aim to no longer direct certain requests to the Regional Committees for the Recognition of Occupational Diseases (CRRMP) but to entrust the decision to only two medical advisors. The current committee is composed of an occupational physician, a specialist, university professor or hospital practitioner, and a medical advisor. They are the ones who decide whether or not a pathology is of occupational origin. Their role is complex and crucial. Under the pretext that the CRRMPs are saturated, the DSS and the DRP intend to simplify things by entrusting the task to two medical advisors from the health insurance. The latter are not specialized in work. This would be a real step backward for victims' rights. »

What do you think the concrete consequences would be for the victims?

"For example, the recognition of the link between work and certain cancers, such as skin or bladder cancer, leukemia, kidney cancer, or prostate cancer, relies on the examination of the file by specialists in working conditions. It is always very complicated to establish whether the occupational exposure of an employee is the cause of the cancer from which he or she is suffering. And this is neither the competence nor the mission of medical advisors. Specialists and professors already have difficulty making decisions in accordance with scientific knowledge. Entrusting the decision exclusively to medical advisors would certainly result in refusals of care for a great many victims. This is truly scandalous. While the current law has allowed more than one hundred recognitions by the various committees consulted."

Are there so many files that have to pass through the hands of these famous committees?

"Yes. The passage through the CRRMP covers all illnesses that are included in a social security schedule but for which not all the conditions are met, such as the duration of exposure or the timeframe for treatment. But also all pathologies not included in the schedule. For these, the committee must establish that there is a direct and essential link between the illness and work. This is the case for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD, which affects tens of thousands of people in mining, industry, construction, and textiles. The same goes for musculoskeletal disorders, which represent nearly 70% of occupational illnesses each year. Cases are often sent to the CRRMP under paragraph 6. Not to mention psychosocial risks, which are not included in the schedule and represent 25% of cases.

What does the collective intend to do in the face of this expected measure?

"The united CGT-CFDT-CFTC-FO-CGC collective, along with Andeva, Cavam, Fnath, and Adevat-MP, clearly notes the significant setbacks these proposals would cause for victims of work. We call on all parliamentarians to block this social setback for those who have sacrificed their health in order to earn a living. We must remain vigilant. Work still maims and kills."

You have dedicated your life to the fight for the recognition of occupational diseases (ODs), first for miners and then for other professions. Have you seen any changes?

“The current social situation is difficult. Today, occupational disease cases are multiplying. For the Merlebach office alone, we have had an average of one declaration per working day since the ^1st January. For all those in the mining regime, 5,401 MPs were recognized between 2017 and 2023, or three per day. The work is immense. Here in Merlebach, we work full-time. The tools have helped improve scientific knowledge. But each case takes time. Procedures often last several years because the path is strewn with pitfalls and various obstacles. Employers don't like it when a link is established between work and an employee's illness. The action of trade unions and associations is essential. Our fight is ongoing.