Renault workers committing suicide

A French prosecutor has opened an inquiry into working conditions at a Renault technical design centre after three workers committed suicide since last October. The latest incident involved a man who died at his home last week, leaving a letter blaming work difficulties for his death. In January, another worker drowned himself in a lake near the centre. A third worker killed himself by jumping from the fifth floor of the main building of the centre last October.

"We have opened an inquiry into the working conditions of the people who committed suicide," said Michel Desplan, the public prosecutor in Versailles on Wednesday.

The CFDT workers union said that workers had been under increasing pressure since the company introduced a restructuring plan last year and called for Renault management to urgently evaluate the situation. Reuters