"Workers’ rights: The Yves Rocher Group found liable for failing in its duty of vigilance in Türkiye", 12 March 2026

Between 2018 and 2019, a Turkish subsidiary of the Yves Rocher Group dismissed more than 130 employees who in an effort to put an end to their deplorable working conditions, systematic discrimination against women, and sexist and sexual violence, had joined the Petrol-Is trade union.

Following a complaint filed by ActionAid France, Sherpa, Petrol-Is and 81 former employees, the Paris Judicial Court has just ruled against the parent company of the Yves Rocher Group in this case.

In its ruling, the court found that the Yves Rocher Group had failed to comply with the obligations set out in the Duty of Vigilance Law...which requires large French companies to take appropriate measures to prevent human rights abuses within their subsidiaries abroad.

According to the court, the Rocher Group should have identified the risks of serious violations of workers’ rights within its Turkish subsidiary. It was at fault in excluding it from its vigilance plan and failing to take the necessary measures to prevent the risks of union busting. It ordered the group to compensate the Petrol-Is union and six former employees...

This is the first time that a French company has been found liable for human rights violations caused by its activities abroad...It also sends an important message: the duty of vigilance can be a tool in the fight against corporate impunity. Multinational companies can no longer ignore working conditions in their factories abroad.

However, the court dismissed the claims for compensation brought by the majority of employees. It considered that they were not admissible because their losses had already been repaired by entering into a settlement agreement with the Turkish subsidiary in March 2019...

Speaking to AFP, Yves Rocher Group has stated that it "has taken note of the ruling" and that it is "waiting for the decision to be formally notified to decide whether to appeal it", whilst reaffirming "its commitment to the principles of the duty of vigilance". Find out more here (in French).