Background Note – SSD H&S / Structural Change meeting 25 October 2013
The EUROFER-industriAll Social Dialogue Committee meeting on 25 October 2013 will
cover the following topics:
1) Health and Safety WG: Joint project “Industrial relation practices related to
psychosocial aspects of work in the steel sector - an analysis of three case studies”
– Peter Kerckhofs (Eurofound)
a. Presentation of the 3 case studies report (Rautaruukki, Salzgitter,
ArcelorMittal) and findings – Liesbeth Van Criekingen (EuropaConsulting)
b. Exchange of best practices on psychosocial risks & wellbeing at work in the
steel sector
2) Structural Change WG: European Action Plan for the Steel Industry
a. Draft opinion by European Economic Social Committee (see attached doc.)
b. The social dimension chapter within the Plan - Fernando Vasquez & Elisa Jungk
(DG EMPL)
1. Health and Safety WG: Joint project “Industrial relation practices related to
psychosocial aspects of work in the steel sector - an analysis of three case studies”
At the last SSD H&S meeting in June 2013, an interim report of the above-mentioned project
was presented by the consultant, EuropaConsulting.
The main objective of this project: to look at industrial relations practices with regard to
health and safety strategies developed by the social partners with a view to identifying and
describing steel company practices to reduce psychosocial hazards at workplaces in the steel
sector.
European and national legislations protecting health and safety at the workplace already exist.
These are complemented by company initiatives and ongoing strategies to anticipate and
evaluate psychosocial risks as well as designing appropriate policies.
Despite the fact that different terms might be used to refer to psychosocial aspects at work
(e.g. stress, mental health, well-being, etc.), they are understood as being detrimental to the
health of workers as well as having an economic impact on employers and civil society.
By focusing on psychosocial risks, the EU Social Dialogue committee will aim to discuss a
number of practices and strategies underpinning the prevention policies.
Three selected steel companies’ best practices to be presented are:
 ArcelorMittal France (Montataire site)
 Rautaruukki (Finland)
 Salzgitter (Germany)
Preparation for the participants:
•
Please be prepared to contribute to the debate, highlighting your own
experience within your company or National Federation, on the topic of
psychosocial risks and good practices undertaken on site / national level
•
Could EUROFER and industriAll produce a statement (joint recommendation)
on this issue?
•
Would you agree to take part in this kind of project and highlight some of your
best practices, as a follow up activity?
2. Structural Change WG: European Action Plan for the Steel Industry
In June 2013, the Commission released the Action Plan for a competitive and sustainable
steel industry in Europe1. This Plan has been considered as a “first step forward” by
EUROFER and industriAll in its joint Declaration2, as it recognises the steel sector as a
strategically important sector for Europe and a motor for growth. It has identified 6 main
issues, among which the social dimension to be tackled to ensure that the EU steel industry
remains competitive.
All in all, the EU Action Plan for the Steel Industry foresees about 40 actions by the
Commission and proposes 12 actions to be taken by the Member States. However, the actions
as outlined in the Communication would need further explanation.
In this perspective, both EU social partners have decided to invite the Commission to present
the social chapter in more detail to the committee, especially with regard to the
implementation of the various measures as set in the Social chapter:
 Skills development / youth employment: Active training life-long learning
policies
 Presentation “Quality framework for anticipation of change and restructuring”
 Presentation European Structural Funds3 & EU Globalisation Fund4
Preparation for the participants
 Should you have any questions / comments that you wish to pass on to the
Commission related to the social chapter of the Steel Action, please be ready to
intervene (clear and precise questions).
 Reflect on how the European social partners could take an active role in the
implementation of the plan, especially under the social dimension chapter.
1
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sectors/metals-minerals/steel/index_en.htm
2
http://www.eurofer.be/Issues%26Positions/Social%20Affairs/Joint%20EUROFERindustriAll%20Declaration%20on%20the%20European%20Steel%20Action%20Plan.pdf
3
4
See annex note « ESF »
See annex note « EGF »