Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2005-02-23-Speech-3-340"
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"en.20050223.20.3-340"2
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".
Mr President
I would like to commend my colleague, Mr Maštálka, for his report on promoting health and safety in the workplace. It is a very good, comprehensive report, and one worthy of support.
The health and safety of workers is paramount. The enhancement of workers' rights and entitlements can only lead to a better quality of life for workers and their families. As we have already heard, there are 4.8 million work-related accidents every year in the European Union and this is unacceptable, given that many of the injuries sustained would be avoidable with proper health and safety guidelines and procedures.
As the European Union continues its pursuit of a successful global economy, sustained economic growth and the privatisation agenda, many people believe that workers' rights have been relegated to second place. The Commission and Member States must ensure full implementation of protection measures and it is, quite frankly, an inadequate response to tell us that implementation is insufficient.
The report indicates that a number of groups within society are particularly at risk with regard to workplace health and safety. Many women face sexual harassment, bullying, lower pay than their male counterparts, and discrimination in relation to their maternity entitlements. Many migrant workers and temporary workers face intolerably long hours and disgraceful pay at the hands of unscrupulous employers and these are the very people who require the most protection.
The improvement of conditions requires the universal recognition of trade unions as workers' representatives. Trade unions are an essential element in the delivery of healthy and safe workplaces and practices.
One issue that has already been mentioned in requiring urgent attention is accidental needle stick injury, which medical professionals face every day. Due to the nature of their work they are at risk of contracting blood-borne viruses such as HIV and hepatitis. Again, these injuries are preventable through better training and safer work practices.
We need to redress the balance between the rights of business and the rights of workers because, after all, it is workers who are the backbone of any economy. We cannot afford not to have healthy and safe workplaces."@en1
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