Suffering at work: the suicide of a childcare assistant in Longwy

A childcare assistant, employed by Longwy Childcare Centre, killed herself at her home on 19 May. Mélissa Mangel, 37, was a mother of two children. A CGT representative of the workers in her structure, she was particularly involved in protecting the working conditions of early childhood professionals. For several years, the union – whose relationship with city hall was particularly strained – had been decrying the lack of staff, training and deteriorating working conditions in early structures. – the youth of the village, hitting several times.

The first warning was not taken seriously
Jawad Mahjoubi, general secretary of CGT Territorials in Longwy Town Hall, explains that in June 2023, the day after a violent riot at a meeting with the former mayor of Longwy (who has since retired), Mélissa, who is deeply affected, made her first attempt – killing. She was since then “in an accident at work with a duty of care”. So she could return to her work but in August 2023, her director issued the first warning, judging that Mélissa’s situation was too fragile. Then three days before his death in May 2024, a new warning was issued. In vain. The childcare assistant reportedly left a letter in which she clearly stated the reasons for her suicide. It was sent to the mayor of Longwy by the family’s lawyer.

Municipality accused of repeated violations

In a press release dated November 5, the CGT is difficult for Mélissa “paid with his life for the consequences of professional suffering that was ignored” and accuses the city of being negligent several times and not fulfilling its obligations. “Nothing was doneit is difficult Mahjoubi games. A situation like this should have forced the community to investigate. There was a lack of follow-up on the occupational accident, reports were ignored despite repeated warnings…”. He also states that since 2014, workers’ representatives have been asking the town hall to implement a psychosocial risk prevention plan, which is nevertheless mandatory. Plus one professional risk assessment document.

On strike for the city to recognize its responsibility

Last Tuesday, his family, his colleagues and the CGT Longwy Town Hall gathered in front of the Child Care Center where all the workers were on strike, including the management. 6 months after the tragedy, everyone wants justice in memory of Mélissa. They want the community to recognize “the impact of his work environment in this drama” and making sure “total funeral expenses”explains the CGT in its press release. According to Jawad Mahoudi, this would force the city to compensate the victim’s family by paying her husband 50% of Mélissa’s final salary until her children come of age. To the local media, Vincent Hamen the new mayor of Longwy he said he understood the demand for accountability: “I have to make the most balanced decision with full knowledge of the facts, on concrete elements, after taking time to study these writings with the necessary hindsight, and ignoring each person’s situation . “he explained carefully.

A fight that doesn’t end there

Following this move, representatives of the Child Care Center decided to renew the strike until November 19. “We also warn that this movement could spread to the services of the city if our requests are not heard. Support for Mélissa and the refusal to see such tragedies happen again today crosses all sectors. » A delegation was received by the sub-prefect of Val-de-Briey and should be received at the prefecture of Nancy soon. The CGT, for its part, says it is ready to lead “hard social conflict if necessary”. //php print $field_texte[0][“value”]; ?>