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Since 1978, the European Commission has been working on long-term action programmes on health and safety at work. These programmes have had a strong influence on the development of European legislation, the most important feature of which has been the adoption in 1989 of the framework directive aimed at improving the health and safety of workers. Since 1996, community programmes have focused on information rather than on legislation so as to encourage an in-depth implementation of the “acquis communautaire”. The latest community programmes have focused more on new risks and hazards caused by changes in the work environment and in our society as a whole.
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Community Strategy for the period between 2007 and 2012
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The European Commission presented on 21 February 2007 its new strategy on health and safety at work for the period between 2007 and 2012.
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Improving quality and productivity at work: Community strategy 2007-2012 on health and safety at work
COM(2007) 62, February 2007
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European Parliament resolution of 15 January 2008
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ETUI-REHS analysis and evaluation
The HESA Newsletter details the main reasons why the ETUI-REHS pilloried the new Community strategy: no reference to REACH, no concern to tackle work-related diseases, worker participation completely ignored, turning the labour/HSW inspectorate into a business consultancy, etc.
ETUC reactions
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European Strategy on Health and Safety: The Commission misses its target
(27/02/2007)
Health and safety at work: the community strategy needs a new impetus, says the ETUC
(21/02/2007)
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Trade Union demands
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The European Trade Unions are represented on the Luxembourg Advisory Committee for Safety and Health at work. They were asked by the European Commission to take part in the debate on the forthcoming Community strategy in health and safety at work. Their contribution resulted in the publication of a booklet in June 2006.
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Other documents:
Employers’ demands
On 6 June 2006, UNICE, the European Organisation of Employers, disclosed its position on health and safety at work and stated that further developments on this issue should no longer be pursued by the European Commission. Trade unionists do not share this viewpoint because they feel that the implementation of directives has led to visible improvements in the field of safety and of prevention at the workplace.
The Governments’ viewpoints
The twenty-five members of the EU are divided over how much emphasis should be given to the new community strategy. Some are very much in favour of deregulation whereas others feel that the EU should launch new directives focused on changes in the work environment.
Other comments
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Community strategy for the period between 2002 and 2006
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In March 2002, the European Commission had presented its new five-year strategy aimed at addressing issues and challenges facing society as a whole and changes arising at the workplace throughout the European Union. Four year on, if we run through what was supposed to be achieved, we realise that little progress has been made on issues regarded as important by the Commission. HESA Newsletter and publications
Other trade union's documents
- Resolution adopted by the ETUC Executive Committee
June 2001.
Community documents
Other documents
- European Strategy on health and safety at the workplace : score board 2003
Nordic Countries, March 2004.
- UNICE position paper
May 2002.
- Strengthening the gender dimension in the New Community Strategy on health and safety at work 2002-2006
European Women's Lobby
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A stocktaking through the working conditions in Europe
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Contact :
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