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20/12/2007
The European Parliament ‘s Employment Committee meeting on 18 December 2007 adopted by a large majority a report on the Community health and safety at work strategy 2007-2012. Unlike the Commission Communication issued last February, this report is focused on tackling work-related diseases. Written by British Labour MEP Glenis Willmott, it calls for a Europe-wide drive against bringing new cancer-causing chemicals into the workplace, and measures to combat musculoskeletal disorders like back pain and repetitive strain injuries.
"The European Commission has proposed to cut accidents at work by 25 per cent throughout the EU. We need similar ambitious targets for cuts in occupational diseases and cancers ", said Stephen Hughes, the Socialist Group’s social affairs spokesman.
Glenis Willmott commented, "We need new EU legislation to deal with new and emerging risks and where the existing laws have proved to be inadequate. In particular, we need binding new limit values for cancer-causing substances, such as crystalline silica, which can cause pulmonary diseases."
The report calls for special attention to disabled and vulnerable workers, including migrant, young, ageing and temporary agency workers.
Said Ms Willmott, "Studies show that for these workers, the rate of occupational accidents and diseases is much higher than the EU average. Most of them are at the lower end of the income scale and at higher risk because they lack training and awareness of either their rights or the risks involved in their work”.
"The European Commission also needs a carrot-and-stick approach to implementing and enforcing existing laws - combining rigorous inspections with financial incentives for employers", added the British MEP.
The report adopted by the Employment Committee still has to be voted on by all MEPs at the plenary session of 15 January 2008.
Source: PSE press release
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