1 It’s 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 Objectives: 1) 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: 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 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? MW OHS, experiences

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 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. Foreign companies

12 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 % 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 Labour inspection

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 is an lever to increase organising and TU influence” Correct? OHS  1.A matter of workers’ interest - and their families 2.Easy to improve 3.Accepted in society 4.A matter of law: Employer obligation Risk assessment etc. 5.Gives access to the workers - via active workers as safety reps OHS: A tool for organising?