Paris (AFP)
The secretary general of the CGT, Philippe Martinez, indicated on Monday that he was "not in favor" of the compulsory vaccination of caregivers against Covid-19, explaining that he preferred "to convince rather than to coerce" those who are 'question or hesitate ".
A discordant voice in a concert of supporters.
For a week, the government, doctors, but also the Medef and the CFDT have taken a position in favor of the obligation for caregivers, still insufficiently vaccinated in nursing homes and hospitals.
Prime Minister Jean Castex must also receive this week the leaders of Parliament and local elected officials to address, among other things, this issue.
But the CGT, the first union in the hospital public service, is "not in favor", and thinks "that it is better to convince rather than to coerce. We must see why some of the caregivers do not want to be vaccinated, he there are certainly reasons, so it is better to discuss rather than impose, "Martinez told LCI.
Himself vaccinated and "in favor of vaccination", he said that caregivers "are best placed" to broach the subject and that some "think that the side effects (of the vaccine) can cause problems", adding that " these are the questions that must be addressed ".
Contrary to opinion polls, he stressed that "when you are outside you can have an opinion but it is better to listen to those who are inside and who have given a lot".
Calling for "more respect for caregivers", the boss of the CGT said that "we can not point the finger at them today after having applauded them all last year".
Faced with the temptation of the executive to legislate on the subject, he considered that "when we want to pass things in force, while we keep talking about discussion, consultation, it is a lack of respect".
© 2021 AFP