DISNEYLAND Paris is investigating after two of its employees committed suicide in the past six weeks.

A Disneyland kitchen chef in his 40s hanged himself at his home in Marne-la-Vallee near Paris last Friday, in an incident which the Disneyland division of French union Force Ouvriere (FO) believed was associated with poor working conditions, it emerged today

It followed the death of a 30-year-old employee at the park, also a chef, who threw himself in front of a train on February 21.

FO said the staffer was forced to work in "humiliating" conditions after returning to the resort from a period of sick leave.

A day before his suicide, another 22-year-old worker threatened to kill himself in the attraction park after the announcement of his dismissal.

In a statement, FO slammed "the working conditions and the pressure put on the employees within the business" of Disneyland Paris.

"In this difficult situation, the union requires Eurodisney ... to begin a health and safety inquiry, to communicate to and listen to its employees," it said.

Questioned by AFP, FO representative Mary Lyn Lesueur admitted that the union had yet to establish a concrete link between the latest employee suicide and work conditions, acknowledging that personal problems also contributed to his death.

"But it is certain that there is a real problem of management at Disney," she added.

Work-related deaths became a big issue in France last year after it was revealed that France Telecom had been plagued by a spate of suicides.

At least 44 members of staff killed themselves at the company since 2008, in a phenomenon unions blamed on harsh management culture.





If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For help with depression, contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36.

Originally published as Disneyland reels after two suicides