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

Emiliya Dimitrova

CITUB19-20 December, Kiev

2Emiliya Dimitrova- CITUB


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.



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.



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;



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.



The current objective of the strategy is by 2012 the level of accidents can be reduced by 25%.



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;



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.



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.



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.



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.



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;



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.



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.


Thank you for your attention!

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Emiliya Dimitrova CITUB 19-20 December, Kiev