1

Workplace Health Promotion in Cyprus

Future perspectives

DR Athanasios Athanasiou

2

Economic System of Cyprus

Orientation is towards services mostly made of SMEs Total Labour Force: 347000 employees including self-employed76% of GDP (gross domestic product) is been generated from the services sector

3

Workforce Characteristics

4%0%0%12%

1%

12%

17%

8%5%

5%

7%

7%

7%

4%5%

4% 1%

AGRICULTURE

FISHING

MINING AND QUARRYING

MANUFACTURING

ELECTRICITY

CONSTRUCTION

RETAIL AND TRANSPORT

HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS

COMMUNICATION

FINANCIAL INTERMEDIATION

REAL ESTATE

ADMINISTRATION AND DEFENCE

EDUCATION

HEALTH CARE

OTHER

PRIVATE HOUSEHOLDS

TERRITORIAL

4

Micro-enterprises

65000 enterprices

less than 10 persons

95%

other4%

more than 50 persons

1%

5

Medical Workforce

Lack of Industry, occupational medicine was never a priority4 occupational physicians (3 of them in the public sector)Formal medical education needs to be undertaken abroadEmphasis of the entire OSH system is given on safety

6

Legal Framework Concerning Employees HealthHealth and Safety legislation undergone major changesEmployers responsibility to ensure health surveillanceThe level/extend of medical examinations/services the employer is entitled to provide is determined from a risk assessmentOnly few health surveillance requirements are listed in the existing legislation

7

Health Surveillance System of Employed PersonsObligations of employers, employees and examining physiciansMethods of increasing awareness of various playersProvision of arrangements for training coursesWays and methods for conducting health surveillance in various sectors of economic activityIntroduction of new legislation on employees health

8

Workplace Health Promotion in CyprusConcept missing from the legal framework of the OSH systemCompletely new concept, lack of common understandingKnowledge and interest is only present at the level of few professionalsLimited diffusion of WHP related topics through the Department of Labour Inspection which is the main driver

9

Professional Training for WHPMedical and other scientists on occupational health are mainly trained abroadCyprus International Institute for the Environment and Public HealthOccupational Health and Safety training center of the Department of labour InspectionFew training courses for employers, employees and safety representatives are provided through the structure of employers and employees organizations)

10

Activities and Models of Good Practices in WHPNo MOGPs have been identified up until nowSeveral activities in relation with European Agency in Bilbao can be mentioned

(annual safety week on the prevention of work accidents and occupational diseases)Research study on the risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders amongst Cypriot employees

11

Development of Structures and Policies for WHP2 local events have been organized in the frame of ENWHP projects

Supporting factors:Good exposure to European and International information of different partiesSmall country, its easy to disseminate informationGood level of tripartite cooperationHigh proportion of unionization, quite active and well organized organizationsGood Labour Inspection Services

12

Future Perspectives for WHP in CyprusLegal framework on WHPIncrease of the number of specialist in the field of WHPProvision of information and knowledge on WHP amongst various partnersOrganization of training programmes needed for qualifications in the field of WHPVery specific and tailor-made initiatives for micro scale enterprises

13

Future Perspectives for WHP in CyprusThe role of upcoming National Health System on workers healthAdequate financial and other support from the key stakeholdersEmphasis should be placed for both health and safety issuesHealth policy at the enterprise level should be a matter of priorityHealth and Safety is integrated into the programme of elementary and secondary schools. Development of health cultureResearch studies on occupational health