Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2005-02-23-Speech-3-334"
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".
Ladies and gentlemen, I should firstly like to thank the rapporteur, Mr Maštálka, for the outstanding commitment and effort he has put into drafting this report. It deals with an area which is complex and which provokes much discussion, as it relates to our most important asset, namely the health and safety of employees at work. I greatly welcome this report. It was drafted after the Commission had adopted its communication on the implementation of Framework Directive 89/391/EEC and of the first five individual directives. It thus responds to the Commission’s wish that the communication should provoke genuine and broad public discussion as to how best to promote health and safety at work and how to strengthen the European framework in order to provide an environment ensuring equal opportunities for all businesses in the enlarged Europe.
Since 1989, Europe has adopted a number of important pieces of legislation setting out the responsibilities and obligations of employers and employees. There may only have been a small number of such pieces of legislation, but they cannot be called minimalist in any way. They have introduced a policy of integrated prevention at all levels of business, and cover all sectors of economic activity, whether private or public. Within this framework, information, education and consultation with employee participation represent the three main supporting elements of the system.
This legislation, ladies and gentlemen, has had a positive effect. As can be seen from the statistics, there has been a 30% drop in fatal occupational accidents. Thousands of lives have been saved. There has also been a 15% reduction in occupational accidents resulting in incapacity for work. This development is part of a long-term trend, even though it is true that the number of occupational injuries is still too high, and therefore unacceptable.
Even the best legislation, however, is pointless if it is not effectively applied in the workplace. It must be emphasised that the attitude of employees and employers, who are the main participants in preventive measures, is of fundamental importance. The Commission and Parliament are agreed on the need to enhance and support awareness, education and active participation by employees and employers in defining the policies for prevention at company level, and to enforce the principles laid down in this area under European legislation.
The Commission also agrees with Parliament on the need to develop additional legislative instruments to facilitate implementation, as well as labour inspectorates armed with structures, resources and deterrent powers in order to help change attitudes, as such a change is necessary for the proper and equal enforcement of legislation in the Union.
The Commission’s evaluation of the implementation of the framework directive and the first five individual directives, which was based on a thorough examination carried out in the field and on the results of assessments carried out by Commission services, points to areas where the directives are not be implemented adequately, and identifies the main problems requiring attention.
The Commission is delighted that Parliament agrees with the analysis carried out by the Commission, and that its report makes proposals which should improve the practical application of the legislation. The recommendations made in the report deserve full support and, together with the results of the assessment of Community strategy for the period from 2002 to 2006 and the reactions of Member States and the social partners, will form the basis for the next Community strategy, covering the period from 2007 to 2012. I should also like to thank Parliament, and especially the members of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, for their constant efforts and on-going support for an effective policy on health and safety at work.
Today’s adoption of this report, which includes specific recommendations for the various players, is an important step along the road to increased interest and awareness among all those involved. The Commission is grateful to Parliament and wishes to assure it that this recommendation will be taken into account as soon as deliberations begin with respect to the next strategy in the field of health and safety at work.
Ladies and gentlemen, the staggering amount of national financial expenditure has been mentioned, and it is true that national expenditure appears in the accounts. Yet although pain does not appear in them, it is no less important. Ladies and gentlemen, I should like to thank you for your efforts."@en1
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