ETUC goes on the offensive against MSDs

The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) wants to launch a mass trade union offensive focused on work related musculoskeletal disorders.

John Monks, ETUC General Secretary, opening the joint conference hosted by the ETUC and its research and training institute, ETUI-REHS, on October 9-10 in Brussels, commented: "More than one in three European workers across all sectors suffers from musculoskeletal disorders. We want to launch a mass trade union offensive focused on work organisation to stem these rapidly-spreading work-related illnesses.”

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), are medical conditions that affect the muscles, tendons and nerves. ETUC said it is Europe’s most widespread occupational disease, and European workers’ main health complaint.

Marc Sapir, Director of the ETUI-REHS, said: “Current European legislation is not enough to tackle this problem. We need to get a draft MSD Directive back on the European agenda.”

Unions want a general directive on MSDs that would give weight to the impact of work organisation and psychosocial factors.

Speaking on behalf of the European Commission, Antonio Cammarotta, said: “The Commission favours an overall approach that combines regulatory and non-regulatory measures. There is a case for a new initiative that could take the form of a directive based on the 1989 framework directive on the health and safety of European workers.”