Trade union policy and strategyregarding support and coordinationof Workers’ Reps in H&S – fromEuropean to national model
Emiliya Dimitrova
CITUB
19-20 December, Kiev
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Emiliya Dimitrova- CITUB
Trade union policy and strategy regarding support and coordination ofWorkers’ Reps in H&S – from European to national model
Humanization of the working environment
Increasing the role and participation of workersin the evaluation and control of risks
Evaluation and management of new andemerging risks - stress, violence, psychosocialrisk , nanotechnology.
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Emiliya Dimitrova- CITUB
Trade union policy and strategy regarding support and coordination ofWorkers’ Reps in H&S – from European to national model
OHS now constitutes one of the most important andmost advanced aspects of the policy of CITUB,concerning employment and social activities. For botheconomic and humane reasons we believe that safetyand health at work must take place in the primaryprogram of Confederation for the next term because:
when being achieved the quality of life in theworkplace will be determined;
technical progress requires changes in theworkplace, but often they result to new and unknownrisks, especially with psycho-social nature.
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Emiliya Dimitrova- CITUB
Trade union policy and strategy regarding support and coordination ofWorkers’ Reps in H&S – from European to national model
If we review the results so far at national level,which clearly follows the strategy of the EC topromote OHS in EU member states for theperiod from 2007 to 2012, it should be stressedthat:
our country has developed a strategy, policy andprevention programs;
Improved social partnership and cooperation in this field;
public opinion is formed about the importance of OSH asan integral part of business management, product qualityand competitiveness;
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Emiliya Dimitrova- CITUB
Trade union policy and strategy regarding support and coordination ofWorkers’ Reps in H&S – from European to national model
gradually built environment and occupationalhealth services, enabling workers to work moreefficiently, to be productive in elderly age andlater to leave the labour market.
The adoption and implementation of specificlegislation on OSH helped to significantly reduceaccidents and illness at work.
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Emiliya Dimitrova- CITUB
Trade union policy and strategy regarding support andcoordination of Workers’ Reps in H&S – from European to nationalmodel
The current objective of the strategy is by 2012 thelevel of accidents can be reduced by 25%.
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Emiliya Dimitrova- CITUB
Trade union policy and strategy regarding support and coordination ofWorkers’ Reps in H&S – from European to national model
Despite the progress we have reason to believe thatworkers perceive a threat to their health and safety ofyour workplace:
Many say they have health problems caused by currentor previous job;
Others believe that their jobs pose a risk to their health; reducing occupational risks is not uniform:- Young workers, temporary workers, immigrants are atgreater risk;- Inadequate care for the safety and health at workmaking self-employed workers and subcontractors;
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Emiliya Dimitrova- CITUB
Trade union policy and strategy regarding support and coordination ofWorkers’ Reps in H&S – from European to national model
SMEs are more vulnerable due to lack of funds;
Sectors such as construction, metallurgy, chemistry,agriculture, transport, fishing and more remain extremelydangerous;
Influenced by demographic changes and aging of theactive population (for Bulgaria as a result of migrationflows to Europe and USA);
The development of innovation emerge and new riskfactors, increasing cases of mental load resurgentviolence in the workplace in new forms - sexual, moralharassment, depending on the employer and others.
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Emiliya Dimitrova- CITUB
Trade union policy and strategy regarding support and coordination ofWorkers’ Reps in H&S – from European to national model
To achieve the overall objective of the EU the strategymust rely on the following instruments:
Ensuring enforcement of EU legislation (basic lawsconcerning OSH in Bulgaria);
Confederation as a major participant in social dialogue willcontribute to the implementation of legislation, but willmonitor and implement procedures for breach ofobligations of the parties.
Confederation will promote the work and will deepencooperation with the Executive Agency "General LabourInspectorate" to improve the control of enterprises andprotection of labor and social security rights of workersincluding health and safety at work.
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Emiliya Dimitrova- CITUB
Trade union policy and strategy regarding support and coordination of Workers’Reps in H&S – from European to national model
Certainly following the National Strategy for Safety and Health at Work,which provides for measures to ensure a high degree of complianceespecially in high-risk sectors:
dissemination of best practices in similar businesses;
training of workers, employees and managers;
simplification tools for risk assessment;
dissemination of information and consultation
with specialists and workers;
access to high quality external prevention
services;
better use of the support function of
the labor inspectorate;
use of economic benefits and more.
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Emiliya Dimitrova- CITUB
Trade union policy and strategy regarding support and coordination ofWorkers’ Reps in H&S – from European to national model
Encourage the development and implementation ofnational OSH strategies.The aim is that these strategies, policies and programsset specific quantitative targets and prioritize the sectorswith the worst results, the most common risks and themost vulnerable workers.
National strategies should be
based on detailed assessment
of the situation and are developed
with the active participation of
social partners.
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Emiliya Dimitrova- CITUB
Trade union policy and strategy regarding support and coordination ofWorkers’ Reps in H&S – from European to national model
National strategies cover the following 4 areas:
Preventive detection of hazardous effects onhealth (eg asbestos);
Care for rehabilitation and reintegration ofinjured workers.
Dealing with social and demographic changes(aging active population, the young leave thecountry);
Support SMEs in implementing legislation;
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Emiliya Dimitrova- CITUB
Trade union policy and strategy regarding support and coordination ofWorkers’ Reps in H&S – from European to national model
Encourage changes in the behavior ofemployers and employees for health and safety- aquiring culture of risk prevention:Integration of health and safety educationprograms at all levels of education, especially inprimary education, because in childhood basicpreventive reflexes are acquaried;safer and healthier workplaces bring numerousbenefits to enterprises - reduce costs for sickworkers, reducing staff turnover, improvesquality, increase profits.
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Emiliya Dimitrova- CITUB
Trade union policy and strategy regarding support and coordination ofWorkers’ Reps in H&S – from European to national model
Development and implementation of methods toidentify, evaluate and resist new potential risks:
new technologies (nanoparticle exposure to newchemicals, combined exposure to several factorsin the workplace;
mental stress - this is the fourth most commoncause of incapacity for work.
WHO estimates that by 2020 depression will bethe main cause of incapacity for work.
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Emiliya Dimitrova- CITUB
Thank you for your attention!