July 1, 2002—The Trades Union Congress (TUC) of the UK is calling on Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to introduce new laws on stress and repetitive strain injury (RSI); to set Europe-wide targets for reductions in workplace injuries, illnesses and sickness absence; and to reverse an 80% cut in the health and safety staff of the European Commission that has left just 24 people running the European Unions health and safety system.
In a briefing for MEPs, the TUC says that tougher health and safety standards could actually help new industries like genetics and biotechnology develop, because without protections, the public will reject new technologies. Laws on stress and RSI could similarly help European workers and businesses adjust to the demands of the new economy without the loss of skilled staff that often results from the newest workplace illnesses.
The TUCs briefing for MEPs lists ten top priorities for action by MEPs, including:
- setting a clear timetable for proposed negotiations between employers and unions on stress so that if agreement is not in prospect, legal protections can be introduced;
- updating legislation to tackle RSI, extending the existing manual handling Directive to cover the repetitive handling of smaller loads;
- European Union-wide targets for the reduction of fatal and serious workplace injuries, occupational illness, and the resulting sickness absence with supporting targets in sectors and regions;
- a fully costed action plan for implementing the EU health and safety strategy over the next four years with firm timetables so that progress can be measured;
- at least doubling the number of staff working on health and safety;
- ensuring that EU funds are not given to employers who do not have good health and safety arrangements, using public procurement measures;
- continuing the current pilot funding program on health and safety in small firms;
- funds for employers and unions to twin with their opposite numbers in EU applicant countries, to ensure targeted support for the development of tripartite systems of health and safety;
- action to ensure that gender-sensitive approaches to health and safety are developed, and legal protections for older workers (like those for young workers in the Young Workers Directive); and
- creating a properly funded ‘new risks observatory’ at the European Agency for Safety and Health in Bilbao to look at how to prevent new risks harming workers.
A series of TUC rights leaflets are available from TUC and from the “Know Your Rights” hotline at 0870 600 4 882.
