In March 2022, the Turkish trade union Petrol-Iş, Sherpa, ActionAid France, and 34 former employees of a Turkish subsidiary of the group filed a lawsuit against Yves Rocher before the Paris Judicial Court. Since then, 47 people have joined the action.

All laid-off in 2018 and 2019 due to their union membership, they accuse the company of failing in its duty of vigilance regarding freedom of association, discrimination against women, and occupational health and safety...

For the plaintiffs, the fault of the Yves Rocher Group is beyond doubt. Despite the proven risks of violations of workers’ rights in the country, the company failed to publish a vigilance plan in time, and then immediately excluded its Turkish subsidiary from the plan. This lack of vigilance led to violations of the employees’ fundamental rights. Systematic anti-union practices took place, aimed at hindering the membership campaign initiated by Petrol-Iş and deterring any form of unionisation. Workers also reported systematic discrimination against women, both in terms of wages and working conditions. More generally, employees were exposed to working conditions that affected their physical and psychological health.

More than three years after the summons, and after Yves Rocher sold its subsidiary last year, the hearing on the merits is finally taking place. These delays are due to preliminary objections raised for years by Yves Rocher.