Sanofi, reduced redundancies and retirement incentives

Pharmaceutical informants fired on the spot. Agreement after a river negotiation

THE DAY Milan – 13 November 2018 – by Andrea Gianni

Milan, 13 November 2018 – After a river of negotiations, which lasted more than ten hours, it was agreement reached between the multinational Sanofi and the Filctem-Cgil, Femca-Cisl and Uiltec-Uil unions on the future of 84 pharmaceutical informants made redundant.

Employees who, yesterday, gathered in garrison with flags and banners in front at the Assolombarda headquarters in via Pantano, where the meeting took place. At the same time, colleagues from the Centre-South demonstrated in Rome, in front of the Ministry of Health. The redundancies were reduced to 75, and the French pharmaceutical company has put resources on the table to help employees over 58 retire, paying salaries and contributions. Instead, incentives for leaving were offered to the under 58sbut it will be on a voluntary basis.

"We are satisfied with the work done - explains Giancarlo Lombardo, secretary of Filctem-Cgil Milan - and now we will submit the document to the workers' assemblies". Satisfaction also expressed by Laura Bruno, Human Resources director of Sanofi Italia. «With responsibility and respect for the people involved - he explains - we have faced a situation that has its origins in the profound transformations taking place in the pharmaceutical market, particularly in the areas where the entry of biosimilars has the greatest impact.

Despite the delicacy of the situation, what has been reached is a good agreement which favors the exit of the people closest to retirement, includes the criterion of voluntariness and supports the colleagues involved with an important economic incentive". The redundancy plan involves pharmaceutical whistleblowers employed on some lines – general medicine, diabetes and cardiovascular – who have suffered the impact due to the entry of biosimilars and lower prices.

Taken from The Day of November 13, 2018