Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2005-02-23-Speech-3-342"
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"en.20050223.20.3-342"2
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"Mr President, Commissioner, 4.8 million accidents a year resulting in 5 200 deaths and leaving 13 000 victims with permanent disabilities. This is not a new epidemic occurring outside our borders, Mr President, but something that is actually happening within the European Union.
Accidents in the workplace are a real tragedy and have incalculable human and financial costs. I have to acknowledge that the most recent indications are that the number of accidents is falling – precisely, I believe, because of measures taken to improve the health and safety protection of workers. The figures are still worryingly high, however, and, incredible as it may seem, more than 50% of European workers still have no access to accident prevention mechanisms. Among the most vulnerable targets, temporary migrant workers deserve particular attention, as do the construction, fisheries and agriculture sectors.
This list is not exhaustive, and I should like to underline the risks to which workers in small and medium-sized enterprises are exposed. Although they are a major driving force in Europe’s economy, SMEs suffer from a lack of information and a lack of resources in managing their health and safety problems. Without the necessary financial backing to promote worker training and awareness activities regarding the risk of accidents at work, many of the initiatives that have been considered could not even be implemented.
Lastly, an explicit reference to the key concept in this area – prevention. It is essential to increase the number, quality and competences of the workplace inspection services and to raise the penalties for failing to comply with legislation. At a time when the Lisbon objectives have just been reviewed, in the sense that a healthy, safe working environment is a decisive factor in the growth – and continued growth – of Europe’s economy, I would point out that the text of paragraphs 27 and 29 of the report we are debating does not make sense."@en1
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