Safety at Work

No x-ray scanners in European airports due to human health risks

The European Commisison has adopted a new legal framework on the use of security scanners at European airports, banning the use of x-ray scanners because of the radiation risks on the health and safety of passengers. This EU legislation allows airports and Member States that wish to use security scanners for the screening of passengers to do so under strict operational and technical conditions. It should be noted that there is no olbigation to use them. The European Commission further (...)

2012 European Commission Work Programme: what priorities for the Commission in 2012?

The European Commission has unveiled its 2012 Work Programme “Delivering European renewal”. The overarching priority is to foster a sustainable and job-rich economic recovery and to address the financial crisis. Clinical trials, medical devices, tobacco products, long term care, or child poverty are on the agenda. In the general policy areas, the Commission announced that it will continue to mainstream the use of impact assessment as a standard part of the Commission’s (...)

Health priorities in EU2020 - European Commission guide

The European Commission published a brief online article outlining where health is relevant in the Europe 2020 strategy, the EU’s growth strategy for the coming decade. In the field of health, it aims at taking actions to ensure a better health for EU citizens, including healthy ageing, health at work and health inequalities. According to DG SANCO (Directorate General for Health, Consumer Protection and Animal Health), promoting good health is an integral part of Europe 2020, the (...)

Health and safety at work: More work to be done on work related stress says the Commission

The European Commission published a report to assess the implementation of Social Partners’ agreement on work-related stress, that was concluded in 2004. The Commission report on work related stress assesses how the agreement was implemented, its impact and it reviews the level of protection of employees from work related stress. It mainly concludes that although there is consensus that this is a serious issue, the protection is still uneven and further progress needs to be made on (...)

The Council refuses the European Parliament’s amendments on the maternity leave directive.

On 6 December, EU social affairs ministers of the Council rejected the European Parliament’s demands on the maternity leave directive. The length of leave (20 weeks) and the renumeration of mothers (full pay) are the two issues on which the Council’s decision differs from the one taken by the EP. During its 3053rd meeting in Brussels on 6 December, EU social affairs ministers held a policy debate on the draft directive aimed at improving the protection of pragnant worksers and (...)

New Skills for New Jobs - ensuring the future workforce is a healthy one

The Commission released the flagship initiative ‘Agenda for New Skills for New Jobs.’ This strategy will outline how the Commission will work with Member States to meet the EU 2020 target of increasing the employment rate for women and men to 75 %. The ‘Agenda for New Skills and Jobs’ flagship initiative sets out 13 key actions with accompanying and preparatory measures. One of the accompanying measures is for the European Commission to work with Member States to (...)

EPHA briefing: "New Skills for New Jobs."

The Commission released the flagship initiative ‘Agenda for New Skills for New Jobs.’ This strategy will outline how the Commission will work with Member States to meet the EU 2020 target of increasing the employment rate for women and men to 75 %. The ‘Agenda for New Skills and Jobs’ flagship initiative sets out 13 key actions with accompanying and preparatory measures. One of the accompanying measures is for the European Commission to work with Member States to (...)

European Disability Strategy 2010-2020 – removing barriers for 80 million Europeans

On 15 November 2010 the European Commission adopted a new ten-year strategy to remove the barriers which prevent 80 million persons with disabilities in Europe from participating in society. Health is an action area for the strategy and participation with civil society will be strengthened over the next ten years. The strategy outlines how the EU and national governments can empower people with disabilities so that they can enjoy their full rights. People with disabilities often experience (...)

Mental Health Europe Conference "Violence against women at work"

In the frame of the DAPHNE European Project “Violence against Women in the workplace… Let’s talk about it! The mental health impacts of violence and harassment against women at work”, MHE is organising the final Conference - co-hosted by Mr Milan Zver MEP - to be held on 7 December 2010 at the European Parliament. You can find more information about the Project and download the documents at www.violence-against-women.eu The conference programme and the flyer for (...)

EPHA Voting Recommendation on Maternity Leave

In light of an upcoming vote on maternity leave, the EPHA Secretariat sent out a letter to MEPs in the FEMM, ENVI, and EMPL Committees urging them to strengthen the framework for maternal and infant health through voting for amendments protection and promote breastfeeding and optimal infant feeding practices, increase the duration of maternity leave , and ensure that mothers receive full payment during maternity leave. Brussels, 19/10/10 Dear MEP, On October 20, you will vote on the (...)