OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES OF GLASSWORKERS: A DENIAL OF RIGHTS

Abstract

In France, the industry of hollow glass, which encompasses the manufacture, shaping and transformation of
containers (bottles and jars), employs about fourteen
thousand workers. According to the statistics of the
National Health Insurance for Salaried Workers
(CNAMTS) analyzed over a period of four years (2009
to 2012), few occupational diseases are officially recognized in this sector. However, the research carried out by
the Association of Former Glassworkers of Givors (département du Rhône, France) which focuses on the causes of
the illnesses that have stricken their group, reveals ignored aspects of their former working conditions, and in
particular, exposure to multiple toxicants without proper
protection. The research also reveals the almost insuperable difficulties that await isolated victims when they try
to get recognition of the occupational nature of their illnesses