29-30.8.2016
Within the educational concept of the European Trade Union Institute (ETUI) on 29 and 30 August an OHS Regional Exchange and Information Forum was held in Budapest, Hungary. The purpose of this Forum was to strengthen the joint activities of the trade unions on OHS issues on national and European level, as well as exchange of experiences and trade union cooperation.
On the Forum the national delegations from Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania and Serbia presented the reports on the current situation in terms of OHS from a national perspective, as well as the priorities, cooperation with labor inspectors, and other stakeholders in the society.
Also on this forum the working groups had opportunities for cooperation between trade unions, and the outcome of the Forum was the signed OHS Memorandum.
Budapest memorandum
Trade Union Memorandum on Health and Safety at Work
Trade union representatives from Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, FYROM, Romania, and Serbia met in Budapest on 29-30 August 2016 to discuss the situation, challenges of and necessary steps to improve workplace health and safety situation of workers in their countries and region.
The regional OSH Forum convened by the European Trade Union Institute focussed on the recent developments of workplace health and safety related policies, and practices.
Country reports pointed out that over the past years in a number of countries a worsening situation in health and safety at work situation has been witnessed, parallel to changes in forms of and the growing number of precarious employment. In the same time in many countries labour legislation was amended with workers’ rights reduced. Growing number of workers have been victimised in work related accidents and diseases, while the number of fatal accident increased - bringing misery and pain to many families and high price for societies.
Reasons for this trends are manifold, however the effects and cutbacks following the crisis years, the decline of political interest and will for securing safe and healthy working conditions for all is seen as a major source. Trade unions find OSH related cutbacks unacceptable. Investment in prevention and hazard free workplace is good vital for all involved stakeholders and for the whole society too.
We consider that it is necessary to strengthen trade union control role through appropriate legislation.
Downsizing of national OSH systems of protection and inspection have greatly contributed to the negative trends. Neglecting of prevention, weakening of labour inspectorates and their role in OHS legislation enforcement, non-transparent role of preventive and protective health services are some of the widely seen discrepancies. These not only put workers into worse working conditions, but harm wider interests, lead to unfair competition and provide environment for social dumping.
We call for strengthening of social dialogue and partnership in the field of health and safety at work – following the best examples of other European Union countries.We need political will to implement fully the articles of the Framework Directive 89/391/EEC regarding “workers' representatives with specific responsibility for the safety and health of workers and prevention”. Promotion of prevention, vivid systems of inspection and enforcement of legislation through cooperation of authorities, employers and trade unions is the key to any sustainable improvement. Trade union potentials in promoting workplace health and safety should be used at all levels, especially in times of shrinking resources. We consider the strengthening of the institution of workers safety representatives of key importance, to which trade unions provide wide support.
Special efforts are needed to create an accountable approach and manner regarding OSH, as well as to eradicate the high level of underreporting of accidents and work-related illnesses. Trade unions in the region see critical deficiencies in risk assessment at SMEs. Exposure of workers to psychosocial risks, work related cancers and MSDs is enormous. Therefore we call for action!
We need a genuine evaluation of implementation of the EU laws in OHS in our countries. We need an action plan for improvements in OHS working conditions of workers in the region. We request a political action bringing workplaces from “old times” to 21 century!
Talking about decent work is not enough – we need action!
Budapest, 30 August 2016
