In the corridors of the IHU, the atmosphere has been particularly electric in recent weeks, according to the CGT. In a press release, the union warns about the possible consequences of the article of
Mediapart, published on November 19, on cases of harassment and ill-being at work of staff from the Emerging Viruses Unit (UVE), on which Inserm depends but which is housed in Didier Raoult’s famous IHU.
In this article, the information site relayed personal testimonies, anonymized and carried out in the context of hearings by the CHSCTs, which reported “pressure” exerted in particular by Didier Raoult, as well as “the falsification of scientific results” , in order to “demonstrate the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine” against Covid-19.
Since this summer, hearings have been made by the CHSCTs of the various supervisory bodies of the IHU, namely the University of Aix-Marseille, the Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Marseille, Inserm and the Research Institute. and development, after revelations of The Express reporting overdue staff within the IHU.
“The situation is very tense internally”
“This leak, of which we do not know the origin, is totally irresponsible”, writes the union, “because it delivers the personnel of the UVE to the vengeance of Didier Raoult and his deputies, whose habits of pressure, of bullying and humiliation have been widely reported and denounced. “
“We know that, since the revelations of Mediapart, the personnel, in particular those likely to testify within the framework of the hearings of the CHSCTs, undergo great pressure, and the situation is very tense internally, deplores Cédric Bottero. We know in particular that a petition in support of Didier Raoult was launched by a leader of the IHU, and that staff are strongly encouraged to sign it. “
“The leadership is capable of employing forms of intimidation and terror”
And to affirm: “We know that the direction is able, in particular when it is under media pressure, to employ forms of intimidation and terror within the IHU. The union fears in particular that some staff members who intended to testify about their working conditions will retract, for fear of reprisals.
“The Mediapart article can free speech, but it can have the opposite effect, wonders Cédric Bottero. I strongly hope that the process will go to the end and I say to the personnel concerned: “Now is the time to testify”. I believe that we are coming to the end of an era within the IHU. And it’s not just the departure of one person that will make a difference. It’s a whole system that has been going on for months and that needs to be overhauled. “
Need for protection
The union representative calls in particular for the supervisory authorities of the IHU to put in place “functional protection for agents who could be harmed”, as well as “the possibility for these agents who would like, after having testified, to change their place of work from be able to do it. “
Contacted, the Public Assistance of Hospitals of Marseille (AP-HM), which “deplores the leaks in Mediapart”, “assures the staff of its total support and its total commitment to protect them”. “An email was sent to this effect on November 19 to all AP-HM staff working within the infectious diseases division of the IHU Méditerranée Infection,” specifies public assistance. The email also indicated the various people to contact to forward testimonies and possible requests for protection and in particular the college of ethics. “
And to recall: “An internal investigation was also launched by the AP-HM in order to shed light on the alleged facts of professional harassment and degradation of working conditions mentioned by Mediapart. “For its part, the Research Institute for Development (IRD) informs that its president” is very attentive and concerned by the well-being of its agents at work and for all teams, in all research units for which we are responsible ”, and that it“ supports any process that will help clarify and improve the situation of staff hosted at the IHU ”. Contacted, the IHU told 20 minutes do not want to comment on this matter.