Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2004-01-14-Speech-3-312"
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".
Mr President, first I should like to thank Mr Hughes, Mr De Rossa and Mr Andersson for their interest in the question of harassment at the workplace, which clearly helps the Commission.
I must say that I do not accept Mr Hughes' overall criticism; I understand Parliament's reaction on this specific matter which, as Mr Hughes also admitted, is extremely complex and difficult, because the situation differs considerably from one country to another. Legislation on and the definition of questions of bullying are an extremely difficult issue, but to say that nothing is being done on health and safety is, I would say, a negative exaggeration. I should like to remind Mr Hughes that, during the last six Presidencies, there has not, I think, been one single Presidency during which legislation on health and safety was not adopted. I would remind you that the programme of the Irish Presidency contains 2 directives: one is being completed and for the other, which concerns problems in the field of optical radiation, a dialogue is due to start with the social partners, as is the first seminar of the Irish Presidency. Consequently, it is clear that the Commission has moved forward, especially on legislation which is both innovative, given that there is none in most Member States, and also very difficult to agree on, given that, as you know, the social partners do not generally agree.
I take your criticism about this specific area as very positive, but I would ask you not to generalise, given that, as you know, health and safety were Commission priorities during this period. The Commission presented a communication with a White Paper on health and safety for the years up to 2006, which clearly states that the Commission will examine the suitability and advisability of a Community measure on psychological harassment and violence at work.
At this specific stage, the Commission services are working on this particular problem, collecting and analysing the information available in all the countries. This analysis takes account, among other things, of the legislative and regulatory initiatives which are being approved or planned in each Member State, together with the results from and difficulties in implementing them.
I must say that, within this framework, the resolution by the European Parliament on harassment at the workplace, to which Mr Hughes referred, the motion by Mr Andersson and the opinion on violence at work approved by the Advisory Committee for Safety, Hygiene and Protection at Work are closely related texts, which are being studied carefully and will support our efforts.
Mr Hughes asked for a timetable. I must therefore say that the Commission will be starting its consultations on Community action in this sector with the social partners in 2004, in accordance with Article 138 of the Treaty and, as you know, these consultations are included in the Commission's programme of work for 2004, which has been announced. I should point out here that, depending on the reactions of the social partners to these consultations, the choice of specific Community legislation with the aim of preventing all forms of violence at work is one but not always the only action.
In fact, the new Community health and safety at work strategy for 2002-2006 refers to the possibility of using a combination of the means available, both legislative and non-legislative. Thus, in the aim of achieving efficient prevention of all forms of violence at work, other non-binding measures, such as recommendations or other non-legislative initiatives, such as guidelines, information and awareness-raising campaigns and enhanced training activities for employers and employees, may be complementary rather than mutually exclusive actions, in conjunction, of course, with a legislative text.
Finally, the Commission considers that bullying and harassment are specific forms of violence at work. I must say that sexual harassment is also a form of violence, on which legislation was passed two years ago. That is why the aforementioned consultations with the social partners will cover every form of violence which undermines the health, physical and psychological integrity and dignity of employees."@en1
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