ANNEX

The following amendments, which received at least a quarter of the votes cast, were rejected in the course of the debate (Rule 59 (3) of the Rules of Procedure):

Point 3.12

Amend as follows:

Given that education and prevention are a key part of investment in OSH, the EESC draws particular attention to health and safety trade union representatives or other volunteers. It is important to promote the role of workplace health and safety committees and workers’ representatives and, if required at the national level, to improve the legal protection of workers’ representatives with adequate legal protection for them.

Reason

To be given orally.

Outcome of the vote

In favour : 50 Against : 86 Abstentions : 10

Point 5.12

Amend as follows:

Optimising the rehabilitation and return to work of workers affected by cancer is therefore important both to improve the well-being of this vulnerable group and to reduce the societal and financial impacts of cancer on European enterprises and society at large. Sound return-to-work policies, instruments, interventions and practices need to be promoted to keep workplaces sustainable. For workers wishing to return to work, appropriate rehabilitation processes should be put in place, including e.g. adaptation of their workplace.‘The facilitators for implementing successful programmes are the legal possibilities of offering part-time work and incentives for the employer to support’ (1) the rehabilitation and return to work after a cancer diagnosis. SMEs should receive help in making work requirements more flexible, together with support and information in this area.

Reason

The impact of cancer on a person’s daily life is immediate and striking. The diagnosis usually results in long periods of sickness absence because of medical treatments and functional restrictions. Although, in general, cancer management has improved over the past three decades and the overall number of people who survive cancer is increasing, many cancer survivors still face long-term symptoms and impairments after their treatment ends, such as fatigue. These symptoms and impairments can affect the work ability of cancer survivors, making it more difficult to remain in or re-enter the job market. Research shows that most cancer survivors are able to remain in or return to work, but that overall the risk of unemployment among cancer survivors is 1,4 times higher than among people who have never been diagnosed with cancer. Instruments, practices, policies and interventions aimed at the promotion of rehabilitation and return to work are clearly important.

Companies with fewer than 250 workers (SMEs) lack information and resources for the rehabilitation and return to work of workers affected by cancer strategies or programmes, and support and education for such enterprises are needed. Grouping SMEs for OSHA information/assistance is valuable because SMEs could learn from each other and together it is easier to access this kind of help from occupational health services. However, stakeholders also see the small size of SMEs as an advantage, as such companies provide a more family-like atmosphere, which may create a more supportive environment for workers with cancer returning to work.

Outcome of the vote

In favour : 49 Against : 106 Abstentions : 10

(1) https://osha.europa.eu/en/tools-and-publications/publications/executive-summary-rehabilitation-and-return-work-after-cancer-0