Sophie Binet, General Secretary of the CGT, Charged with Defamation Following Criticism of Tefal

Paris – 25.05.2026: Sophie Binet, General Secretary of the Confédération générale du travail (CGT), announced on Monday, May 25, 2026, during the French TV show “Les 4 Vérités” on France 2, that she had been charged with defamation the previous Friday. This charge is related to her public statements about “union suppression” at Tefal, a subsidiary of Groupe SEB.

Binet stated that the CGT had been warning for months about the dangers of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), which are used in the manufacture of Tefal pans. She sharply criticized the management of Tefal and accused them of “trying to silence the union representatives.” These statements led to an internal sanction against a CGT representative at Tefal, who had previously, according to the union’s information to AFP, inquired about details on these chemicals and their impact on employees.

In September 2025, Binet condemned a “violent employer suppression” at Tefal during the Fête de l’Huma. After these remarks, she was charged with defamation, which is common in France following such complaints. Binet announced that the CGT would challenge the internal sanction before the labor court.

She emphasized that these legal steps taken by Tefal confirm the extent of union suppression and that the company is attempting to silence union members who speak out about working conditions or the environmental impacts of production. Binet called on legislators to finally enact a law protecting freedom of speech and union freedom, as these are currently at risk.

Already in December 2025, Binet had been charged with “public insult” after calling employers “rats abandoning ship” in a radio interview, whose sole goal was “greed for profit.” These remarks had also led to a lawsuit.

The current events spotlight the tensions between unions and corporate management in France, especially regarding the perception of workers’ rights and corporate environmental responsibility. The CGT and its representatives continue to advocate for workers’ rights and the preservation of union freedom despite the legal challenges they face.

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Image prompt: An image of Sophie Binet, General Secretary of the CGT, at a press conference where she announces her defamation charge related to Tefal. She stands behind a podium featuring the CGT logo, delivering a statement. The atmosphere is serious but professional, without excessive drama.