Trade union policy and strategy
regarding support and coordination
of Workers’ Reps in H&S – from
European to national model
Emiliya Dimitrova
CITUB
19-20 December, Kiev
Trade union policy and strategy regarding support and coordination of
Workers’ Reps in H&S – from European to national model
Humanization of the working environment

Increasing the role and participation of workers
in the evaluation and control of risks

Evaluation and management of new and
emerging risks - stress, violence, psychosocial
risk , nanotechnology.
Emiliya Dimitrova- CITUB
2
Trade union policy and strategy regarding support and coordination of
Workers’ Reps in H&S – from European to national model
OHS now constitutes one of the most important and
most advanced aspects of the policy of CITUB,
concerning employment and social activities. For both
economic and humane reasons we believe that safety
and health at work must take place in the primary
program of Confederation for the next term because:

when being achieved the quality of life in the
workplace will be determined;

technical progress requires changes in the
workplace, but often they result to new and unknown
risks, especially with psycho-social nature.
Emiliya Dimitrova- CITUB
3
Trade union policy and strategy regarding support and coordination of
Workers’ 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 to
promote OHS in EU member states for the
period from 2007 to 2012, it should be stressed
that:

our country has developed a strategy, policy and
prevention programs;

Improved social partnership and cooperation in this field;

public opinion is formed about the importance of OSH as
an integral part of business management, product quality
and competitiveness;
Emiliya Dimitrova- CITUB
4
Trade union policy and strategy regarding support and coordination of
Workers’ Reps in H&S – from European to national model

gradually built environment and occupational
health services, enabling workers to work more
efficiently, to be productive in elderly age and
later to leave the labour market.

The adoption and implementation of specific
legislation on OSH helped to significantly reduce
accidents and illness at work.
Emiliya Dimitrova- CITUB
5
Trade union policy and strategy regarding support and
coordination of Workers’ Reps in H&S – from European to national
model
The current objective of the strategy is by 2012 the
level of accidents can be reduced by 25%.
Emiliya Dimitrova- CITUB
6
Trade union policy and strategy regarding support and coordination of
Workers’ Reps in H&S – from European to national model
Despite the progress we have reason to believe that
workers perceive a threat to their health and safety of
your workplace:


Many say they have health problems caused by current
or 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 at
greater risk;
- Inadequate care for the safety and health at work
making self-employed workers and subcontractors;
Emiliya Dimitrova- CITUB
7
Trade union policy and strategy regarding support and coordination of
Workers’ 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 extremely
dangerous;

Influenced by demographic changes and aging of the
active population (for Bulgaria as a result of migration
flows to Europe and USA);

The development of innovation emerge and new risk
factors, increasing cases of mental load resurgent
violence in the workplace in new forms - sexual, moral
harassment, depending on the employer and others.
Emiliya Dimitrova- CITUB
8
Trade union policy and strategy regarding support and coordination of
Workers’ Reps in H&S – from European to national model
To achieve the overall objective of the EU the strategy
must rely on the following instruments:
Ensuring enforcement of EU legislation (basic laws
concerning OSH in Bulgaria);
Confederation as a major participant in social dialogue will
contribute to the implementation of legislation, but will
monitor and implement procedures for breach of
obligations of the parties.
Confederation will promote the work and will deepen
cooperation with the Executive Agency "General Labour
Inspectorate" to improve the control of enterprises and
protection of labor and social security rights of workers
including health and safety at work.
9
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 compliance
especially 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.
Emiliya Dimitrova- CITUB
10
Trade union policy and strategy regarding support and coordination of
Workers’ Reps in H&S – from European to national model
Encourage the development and implementation of
national OSH strategies.
The aim is that these strategies, policies and programs
set specific quantitative targets and prioritize the sectors
with the worst results, the most common risks and the
most vulnerable workers.
National strategies should be
based on detailed assessment
of the situation and are developed
with the active participation of
social partners.
Emiliya Dimitrova- CITUB
11
Trade union policy and strategy regarding support and coordination of
Workers’ Reps in H&S – from European to national model
National strategies cover the following 4 areas:
 Preventive detection of hazardous effects on
health (eg asbestos);
 Care for rehabilitation and reintegration of
injured workers.
 Dealing with social and demographic changes
(aging active population, the young leave the
country);
 Support SMEs in implementing legislation;
Emiliya Dimitrova- CITUB
12
Trade union policy and strategy regarding support and coordination of
Workers’ Reps in H&S – from European to national model

Encourage changes in the behavior of
employers and employees for health and safety
- aquiring culture of risk prevention:
Integration of health and safety education
programs at all levels of education, especially in
primary education, because in childhood basic
preventive reflexes are acquaried;
safer and healthier workplaces bring numerous
benefits to enterprises - reduce costs for sick
workers, reducing staff turnover, improves
quality, increase profits.
Emiliya Dimitrova- CITUB
13
Trade union policy and strategy regarding support and coordination of
Workers’ Reps in H&S – from European to national model




Development and implementation of methods to
identify, evaluate and resist new potential risks:
new technologies (nanoparticle exposure to new
chemicals, combined exposure to several factors
in the workplace;
mental stress - this is the fourth most common
cause of incapacity for work.
WHO estimates that by 2020 depression will be
the main cause of incapacity for work.
Emiliya Dimitrova- CITUB
14
Thank you for your attention!
Emiliya Dimitrova- CITUB
15