Transformation in Occupational Health and Safety systems: countries that newly entered the EU – lessons learnt Dr. Ivan Kokalov, Vice-President Confederation of Independent Trade Unions Bulgaria

Bulgaria Has Harmonised Legislation The Framework Directive 89/391/EEC introduces measures to encourage the improvement of employees’ health and safety at work. International Labour Organisation Acts (ILO) regarding health and safety at work. Basic rules of procedure of the European Social Charter, in relation to the Health and Safety at Work Act.

Social Dialogue on Health and Safety at Work in Bulgaria The following are the specialised bodies participating in the social dialogue on working conditions in Bulgaria: National Council on Working Conditions – national level; Sector and branch councils on working conditions – sector level; Regional district and municipal councils on working conditions – municipal level; Committees and groups on working conditions – company level; The social dialogue is well institutionalised at all levels.

Partners in Implementing the Social Dialogue on Health and Safety at Work in Bulgaria The representative trade union confederations are: Confederation of the Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB) Confederation of Labour “Podkrepa”. The representative employer organisations are: Bulgarian Industrial Association (BIA); Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI); Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association (BICA); Confederation of Employers and Industrialists in Bulgaria (CEIBG).

General Labour Inspectorate Executive Agency The GLI Executive Agency exercises an overall control by carrying out integrated inspections to ensure that health and safety at work are implemented, that labour laws and laws to promote employment are observed, and provides information and technical advice to employers and employees. An agreement has been concluded between the national representative trade union organisations and GLI Executive Agency at the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy (MLSP) to promote co-operation for enhanced protection, promotion and implementation of workers’ rights.

Ways and resources to improve working conditions Working Conditions Fund – resources are used for the following: Financing of branch-relevant projects and programs to improve working conditions in individual companies selected through a competition process – financing is up to 30% of the project’s value; Diagnosis of work-related illnesses; Development of legal acts, regulations, provisions and requirements; Organising and conducting training, seminars and conferences on the topic of health and safety at work; Preparation and publication of educational and information materials; European Social Fund

Major challenges in implementing health and safety at work legislation Determining the tasks and functions of employee representatives for workplace health and safety in the framework of the Act on Health and Safety at Work. Adequate quality control over occupational medicine services. Difficulties in diagnosing work-related illnesses. Difficulties in evaluating risks at small and micro-enterprises.

Conclusions and lessons learnt: A well-developed legal and institutional framework; a need for constant appraisal of its practical implementation and measures for its improvement; Efficient and effective social dialogue and implementation of national and international best practices; The main challenge facing government and the social partners is the efficient practical implementation of existing legislation.

E-mail adress:ikokalov@citub.net Transformation in Occupational Health and Safety systems: countries that newly entered the EU – lessons learnt Dr. Ivan Kokalov, Vice-President Confederation of Independent Trade Unions (CITUB) Bulgaria E-mail adress:ikokalov@citub.net