Abroad|03/05/17

DENMARK: The work environment is in crisis

Home > The news of EUROGIP and occupational risks in Europe > DENMARK: The work environment is in crisis

In only five years, the deterioration of Danish working conditions has been such that the Minister of Employment and the Liberal Party of Denmark have had to recognize that the existing measures regarding the work environment have been ineffective and must be revised.

A report published by the National Research Centre for the Work Environment (NFA) concludes that the country is now very far from the objectives set in 2011, namely reductions of 25% in serious occupational injuries, 20% in persons suffering mental problems, and 20% in persons suffering from MSDs by 2020. At present, the only positive aspect is that serious occupational injuries have decreased by 18%.
An expert committee has been set up to make recommendations. Lizette Risgaard, chairman of LO-Denmark, has already claimed that the budget cuts forced on the Danish Authority for the Work Environment (Arbejdstilsynet) were to blame. The Authority’s budget for 2017 has been reduced by €5.4 million and these cuts will probably be maintained in 2018.

Budget cuts have also had an impact on working conditions within the Authority. More than 100 people have resigned, complaining of job dissatisfaction. The Managing Director has also resigned and the position now remains vacant.

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