Prevention in the workplace of the use of
alcohol and drugs
SUBJECT AREA 2
The reference framework – Practical examples
The practice of the CGTP-IN
General Confederation of Portuguese Workers National inter-union association
Giorgio Casula
Conférence Internationale Groupe
Pompidou - 15 et 16 Octobre 2014
Strasbourg
Prevention in the workplace of the use of alcohol and drugs
1. General considerations
Health and Safety at Work (HSW) in Portugal
A decline in the last two years, despite the progress
made in previous years;
HSW still seen as a cost factor by the majority of
companies;
Job uncertainty and social and domestic situations
increase the risks in the workplace;
Portugal is still one of the European countries with the
highest rates of occupational accidents and fatalities
.
Conférence Internationale Groupe
Pompidou - 15 et 16 Octobre 2014
Strasbourg
Prevention in the workplace of the use of alcohol and drugs
Healthcare in Portugal
In recent years, the austerity policy has affected all
ministries, including the Health Ministry;
Reorganisation of public health bodies and their staff.
Because of low salaries, doctors and nurses are leaving the
country;
Huge increase in the number of patients per GP;
rising costs and increased use of medicines;
This, together with the rising cost of living, means that
people take less care of themselves.
Conférence Internationale Groupe
Pompidou - 15 et 16 Octobre 2014
Strasbourg
Prevention in the workplace of the use of alcohol and drugs
1. General considerations
The reference framework –
Very good and appropriate regulatory framework;
Individual health is at the centre of all policies;
All treatment is patient-centred;
Diagnosis, risk analysis, complementarity between
various stakeholders (public and private) and the authorities;
Very good progress made in this question by the Drug
Dependence and Addiction Institute (IDT) / Department for
Action on Addictive Behaviours (SICAD); The Euridice
project has helped considerably!
Major contribution from the social partners
Conférence Internationale Groupe
Pompidou - 15 et 16 Octobre 2014
Strasbourg
Prevention in the workplace of the use of alcohol and drugs
The reference framework
Importance of an integrated plan, imposing a link
between public agencies and between the latter and private
bodies;
Importance of a link, including at local level, with all
the relevant stakeholders;
In the workplace, ensure that workers and their
representatives participate and contribute;
Importance of a link with occupational physicians and
ensuring an open corporate culture (still too infrequent).
Conférence Internationale Groupe
Pompidou - 15 et 16 Octobre 2014
Strasbourg
Prevention in the workplace of the use of alcohol and drugs
The reference framework – problems to be overcome
At structural and policy level
In Portugal there is a need for closer links between the
Labour Inspectorate (ACT) and the authority responsible for
health at work (Directorate General of Health + SICAD).
The reduction in funding for the HSW policy means that
little progress can be made in support of prevention or
intervention measures.
Conférence Internationale Groupe
Pompidou - 15 et 16 Octobre 2014
Strasbourg
Prevention in the workplace of the use of alcohol and drugs
The reference framework – problems to be overcome
At structural and policy level
In Portugal, reduced importance placed on HSW as a result
of:
a reduction in the operational conditions of the ACT;
a reduction in the number of labour inspectors;
a transfer of responsibilities to local health centres (for
primary occupational health care)
opting to privatise health care and HSW services – with
its risks and consequences
Conférence Internationale Groupe
Pompidou - 15 et 16 Octobre 2014
Strasbourg
Prevention in the workplace of the use of alcohol and drugs
The reference framework – problems to be overcome
At structural and policy level
An enormous amount of work needed to convince
workers; and companies too, with the cost involved seen as
an additional obstacle;
Addiction and alcoholism still not accepted as an
illness by most people;
Problem of trust and confidentiality;
Important for everyone in the company to work
together
Conférence Internationale Groupe
Pompidou - 15 et 16 Octobre 2014
Strasbourg
Prevention in the workplace of the use of alcohol and drugs
2. The HSW prevention activity of the CGTP-IN
The importance of HSW for the CGTP-IN
1-
Our role as a social partner
2-
Awareness-raising campaigns and training
3-
Election of workers’ HSW representatives
4-
The “Stress in the workplace” project
5-
Action in the context of the Labour Inspectorate
6-
The Euridice project on drug dependence and addiction
Conférence Internationale Groupe
Pompidou - 15 et 16 Octobre 2014
Strasbourg
2. The HSW prevention activity of the CGTP-IN
The importance of HSW for the CGTP-IN
Undertaking research – Taking action – Alerting – Proposing
Improving the quality and extent of our action
1 – Our role as social partner:
* An HSW department
* Member of 3 European tripartite organisations;
OSHA/ European Agency For Safety at Work (Bilbao)
Advisory Committee on HSW (Lux)
European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and
Working Conditions (Eurofound) (Dublin)
* Member of the Portuguese Advisory Council on HSW
Conférence Internationale Groupe
Pompidou - 15 et 16 Octobre 2014
Strasbourg
2. The HSW prevention activity of the CGTP-IN
2- Awareness-raising campaigns and training
--
National seminars
-
Regional workshops
-
3 thematic brochures
-
Three handbooks:
•
Workers participation in HSW
•
The process for electing workers’ HSW
representatives
•
Risk assessment handbook
Website, Freephone and e-Newsletter
http://www.cgtp.pt/seguranca-e-saude
Conférence Internationale Groupe
Pompidou - 15 et 16 Octobre 2014
Strasbourg
2. The HSW prevention activity of the CGTP-IN
3 - Election of workers’ HSW representatives
Since 2004
-
A handbook for the election of workers’ HSW representatives
-
Numerous sectoral/occupational information sessions
-
National awareness-raising activities (trade union delegates,
workers’ representatives or candidates to be workers’ representatives)
-
Training courses.
Results
-
In 2012: 33.8% in municipal councils, 14.7% in large undertakings,
-9.7% in hospitals, and only 2.3% in SMEs
-
CGTP-IN elected representatives: average of 85% of the total
number
Conférence Internationale Groupe
Pompidou - 15 et 16 Octobre 2014
Strasbourg
2. The HSW prevention activity of the CGTP-IN
4 – The “Stress in the workplace” project
Conférence Internationale Groupe
Pompidou - 15 et 16 Octobre 2014
Strasbourg
2. The HSW prevention activity of the CGTP-IN
4 – The “Stress in the workplace” project
In partnership with the Portuguese Trade Confederation (CCP) and with the
support of the Labour Inspectorate (ACT): Framework agreement

Study on the causes and effects of stress in the service and road
transport sectors, with a view to identifying measures to reduce the risks of
stress in the workplace;

Awareness-raising seminars;

Learning kit

Training courses

Publicity
Conférence Internationale Groupe
Pompidou - 15 et 16 Octobre 2014
Strasbourg
2. The HSW prevention activity of the CGTP-IN
5- Action in the context of the Labour Inspectorate
(ACT)
-Since 2010 – Specific support for preventing drug addiction
and dependence in the workplace
Awareness-raising campaigns; seminars; training courses;
fact-sheets;
3 key union sectors: railways, road transport; chemicals and
metallurgy
Huge demand from universities
Conférence Internationale Groupe
Pompidou - 15 et 16 Octobre 2014
Strasbourg
2. The HSW prevention activity of the CGTP-IN
6-
Origin
European project, set up by the “Cooperativa Marcella” – Italy.
Being run in 6 European countries / in Portugal since 2001
Objectives
•
To prevent and take action to combat smoking and addiction
to alcohol and other substances.
•
To promote a healthy lifestyle and habits – health education
•
To change attitudes and behaviour and reduce risk factors.
Conférence Internationale Groupe
Pompidou - 15 et 16 Octobre 2014
Strasbourg
6-
Objectives
To reduce the consumption of tobacco, alcohol and other
substances in the workplace (cf. the positive effects for the
individual and the company)
To foster greater awareness of the dangers of consuming
substances which can lead to dependence.
To foster a healthy social and working climate at work.
•
Conférence Internationale Groupe
Pompidou - 15 et 16 Octobre 2014
Strasbourg
6-
The players – the partnership
Initially / 2001-2002 (only prevention)
CGTP-IN;
Municipal councils: Seixal and Loures
Companies: Yasaki Saldano; Luis Simao Transport
Company; Hovione Farmaciência
-
Workers with their works councils and unions
Support from the European Euridice Programme
Conférence Internationale Groupe
Pompidou - 15 et 16 Octobre 2014
Strasbourg
6-
The players – the partnership
Since 2003 (action in addition to prevention)
-
CGTP-IN – the co-ordinating body
IDT/SICAD – Technical and scientific support
Specialists from the local and regional drug
addiction centres and health authorities (CAT and ARS)
Sectoral trade unions, members of the CGTP-IN
Organisations in the areas in which the project is
run
Conférence Internationale Groupe
Pompidou - 15 et 16 Octobre 2014
Strasbourg
6-
The players – local partners
Municipal Councils: Seixal, Loures, Águeda, Venda
Novas, Sesimbra
Companies:
Alentejo Water Board
Yasaki
Logica
Saica Pack
In total more than 8,500 workers (male and female)
Conférence Internationale Groupe
Pompidou - 15 et 16 Octobre 2014
Strasbourg
6-
Working groups
CGTP-IN
The company’s trade union (Union Committee)
IDT/SICAD and teams from local and regional
health authorities (ARS) and integrated response centres
(CRI)
Representatives of the municipality or the company
(HR, HSW, health office or occupational physician)
Conférence Internationale Groupe
Pompidou - 15 et 16 Octobre 2014
Strasbourg
6-
Methodology
-
Preparatory and co-ordination meetings with the main persons
responsible in the partnership;
-
Publicising the project in the organisation (municipal council or
company);
-
Use of a questionnaire;
-
Dissemination of the results to workers;
-
Definition of action appropriate to the results obtained from the
questionnaire.
-
Use of a possible second questionnaire
-
Assessment and prospects (finalisation or continuation).
Conférence Internationale Groupe
Pompidou - 15 et 16 Octobre 2014
Strasbourg
6-
Practical action taken
-
Publication of information material (see appendices);
Awareness-raising among workers and management / numerous
contacts with workers and the Union Committee;
Significant involvement of representatives of management and HR;
Considerable readiness to offer assistance in problem cases without
excluding people, and making all players aware of their
responsibility;
Recommendation or self-recommendation for voluntary treatment
with the support of the occupational physician and the company;
Help with parenting education requested by some workers
Conférence Internationale Groupe
Pompidou - 15 et 16 Octobre 2014
Strasbourg
6-
Changes that have taken place
1- Dependence/addiction seen as an illness and treated as
such in companies;
2- Incorporation of a training module in the ongoing CGTPIN trade union training;
3- Pioneer project in Portugal: the Euridice methodology
gradually incorporated and reproduced by the
IDT/SICAD;
4- Importance of building trust and ensuring confidentiality
for there to be voluntary participation;
5- Information on the action is given in broader union
meetings and those interested can contact the union
committees or their occupational physician.
Conférence Internationale Groupe
Pompidou - 15 et 16 Octobre 2014
Strasbourg
Prevention in the workplace of the use of
alcohol and drugs
The practice of the CGTP-IN
General Confederation of Portuguese Workers National inter-union association
Giorgio Casula: giorgio.casula@cgtp.pt
HSW Department of the CGTP-IN
Conférence Internationale Groupe
Pompidou - 15 et 16 Octobre 2014
Strasbourg
Conférence Internationale Groupe
Pompidou - 15 et 16 Octobre 2014
Strasbourg
Conférence Internationale Groupe
Pompidou - 15 et 16 Octobre 2014
Strasbourg
Conférence Internationale Groupe
Pompidou - 15 et 16 Octobre 2014
Strasbourg
Conférence Internationale Groupe
Pompidou - 15 et 16 Octobre 2014
Strasbourg
Conférence Internationale Groupe
Pompidou - 15 et 16 Octobre 2014
Strasbourg
Conférence Internationale Groupe
Pompidou - 15 et 16 Octobre 2014
Strasbourg