WORKING CONDITIONS : EP CALLS FOR REINFORCEMENT OF HEALTH AND SECURITY AT WORK.

• Position: European Parliament

The European Parliament invites the Commission to propose a new EU strategy for health and safety at work (HSW) for the 2013-2020 period, which would include new risks as well as setting measurable risks. In a non-legislative resolution on the mid-term evaluation of the 2007-2012 EU strategy, which was adopted on 15 December 2011, MEPs stress that the measures taken to save money during the economic crisis must not eclipse HSW.

"The conclusions of this strategy, which will end in 2012, are clear: it would be a moral failing to close our eyes on suffering at work," said the EP rapporteur, Karima Delli (Greens-EFA, France). "It would be an economic fault, since studies all show that accidents at the workplace and work-related illnesses cost a lot of money, both for our social security systems and our enterprises - up to 5.9% of the GDP. From 2013 onwards, this strategy must be more ambitious, more coherent and much braver politically speaking".

MEPs suggest first developing the European framework to adapt it to new risks, such as psycho-social risks, musculoskeletal disorders or nanomaterial disorders.

MEPs are also calling for an initiative on asbestos and a legislative proposal on muscloskeletal disorders that cover all workers. Moreover, they propose that the Commission set more measureable objectives along with binding...