Paris - An engineer for French telecommunications giant France Telecom has hanged himself, the 25th company worker to commit suicide since the beginning of
2008, France Info radio reported Thursday.

The 48-year-old engineer was on sick leave ordered by his company doctor when he took his life at his home in the northern city of Lannion.

The wave of suicides has provoked outrage among trade unions, who say the company's tough management methods and ruthless restructuring has led to stress and anxiety among its workers.

Since the company was privatized in 1998, about 40,000 jobs have been cut. In addition, many workers have been forced to take jobs at company branches far from their homes.

After a meeting with Labour Minister Xavier Darcos last month, company head Didier Lombard put an end to the so-called principle of mobility that forced managers to move to new branch offices every three years. (dpa)