It

1
Its risky out there

• High risk sector
• Accidents falling from heights
• MSD heavy lifting, movements, repetitive work
• Chemical exposure
• Stress
• But construction is also - work of high
  quality- giving opportunities to use skills-
  autonomy- interacting with fellow workers- etc.

2
OHS of migrant workers who cares?
By Ulrik Spannow, EWHN 2006
3
Migration is not new

• Construction has always been trans-national
• For instance- Originally, the Danish carpenters
  were taught by the Germans - Constructing the
  bridge between DK and Sweden included workers
  from 13 countries
• The construction labour market is an open one

4
European project

• Trade union study on migrant workers
• Initiated by the European Trade Union Institute
  For Research, Education and Health Safety
• Objectives1) To collect best practices in the
  OHS activities related to MW 2) To publish a
  brochure on TU initiatives setting out
  guidelines for the future
• Time schedule 2007

5

The Danish case on MW

• Lack of scientific based evidence
• But plenty of experiences
• What are your experiences?

6
Migrant workers in DK

• Country of origin?
• Poland
• Lithuania
• Latvia Estonia
• Germany
• Sweden
• Etc.

7
Active work permits, const
Active work-permits for persons from new
EU-countries (all sectors)
8
Danish situation

• In DK 12-15.000 workers from the new EU
  countries, since EU25
• Steeply increasing numbers in 2006
• MW have an impact on the Danish construction
  labour market
• MW are a big issue of the TU, in order to avoid
  social dumping

9

MW OHS, experiences

• MW are less aware of the risks at work
• MW worry less about OHS
• Migrant workers are more exposed to accidents and
  MSD than the national workers
• Poor housing welfare conditions
• MW is a vulnerable group
• MW rarely contact the Danish Trade unions
• How come?

10
MW OHS, experiences

• MW plays a double role
• On top of being more exposed to OHS risks
• MW also affect the OHS situation of the fellow
  (national) construction workers, due to language
  problems and different safety cultures

11
Foreign companies

• Foreign companies are often less serious than
  domestic ones
• Reasons?
• They stay for a short period of time
• They are more focused on short term profits
• They become aware of the rules after signing a
  contract
• Controlling
• The foreign companies often try to avoid the
  attention of the authorities. By this they are
  harder to control.

12
Labour inspection

• Reactions of the inspectorate given to foreign
  construction companies in DK
• 8 in 2003 15 in 2004 73 in 2005 166 in the
  first 9 months of 2006
• 10 of the cases involving reactions did involve
  MW due to recent inspection in construction
• The labour inspectorate has tabled brochures on
  OHS, in German, Polish Lithuanian

13
Reflections - 1

• What is the situation like in your country?
• OHS of MW?
• OHS in foreign companies?

Any examples?
14
Reflections - 2

• Strategies for improvements
• What can be done, while we are waiting for the
  Governments and labour inspectors to take action?
• What can the migrant workers do on their own?
• What can the trade unions do?- host TU?- TU in
  the country of origin?

15
Reflections - 3

• How to make improvements?
• EU15 contractors are said to provide a better OHS
  standard at sites, when contracting in the new
  members states? Do you agree?
• Is it possible to keep the new OHS standard, when
  the foreign contractors are leaving?
• Possible ways keep improvements?

16
OHS A tool for organising?

• OHS is an lever to increase organising and TU
  influence
• Correct?
• OHS ?
• A matter of workers interest - and their
  families
• Easy to improve
• Accepted in society
• A matter of law Employer obligation Risk
  assessment etc.
• Gives access to the workers- via active workers
  as safety reps