1 Workplace Health Promotion in Cyprus Future perspectives DR Athanasios Athanasiou

2 Economic System of Cyprus Orientation is towards services mostly made of SMEs Total Labour Force: employees including self- employed 76% of GDP (gross domestic product) is been generated from the services sector

3 Workforce Characteristics

4 Micro-enterprises

5 Medical Workforce Lack of Industry, occupational medicine was never a priority 4 occupational physicians (3 of them in the public sector) Formal medical education needs to be undertaken abroad Emphasis of the entire OSH system is given on safety

6 Legal Framework Concerning Employees Health Health and Safety legislation undergone major changes Employers responsibility to ensure health surveillance The level/extend of medical examinations/services the employer is entitled to provide is determined from a risk assessment Only few health surveillance requirements are listed in the existing legislation

7 Health Surveillance System of Employed Persons Obligations of employers, employees and examining physicians Methods of increasing awareness of various players Provision of arrangements for training courses Ways and methods for conducting health surveillance in various sectors of economic activity Introduction of new legislation on employees health

8 Workplace Health Promotion in Cyprus Concept missing from the legal framework of the OSH system Completely new concept, lack of common understanding Knowledge and interest is only present at the level of few professionals Limited diffusion of WHP related topics through the Department of Labour Inspection which is the main driver

9 Professional Training for WHP Medical and other scientists on occupational health are mainly trained abroad Cyprus International Institute for the Environment and Public Health Occupational Health and Safety training center of the Department of labour Inspection Few training courses for employers, employees and safety representatives are provided through the structure of employers and employees organizations)

10 Activities and Models of Good Practices in WHP No MOGPs have been identified up until now Several activities in relation with European Agency in Bilbao can be mentioned (annual safety week on the prevention of work accidents and occupational diseases) Research study on the risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders amongst Cypriot employees

11 Development of Structures and Policies for WHP 2 local events have been organized in the frame of ENWHP projects Supporting factors: Good exposure to European and International information of different parties Small country, its easy to disseminate information Good level of tripartite cooperation High proportion of unionization, quite active and well organized organizations Good Labour Inspection Services

12 Future Perspectives for WHP in Cyprus Legal framework on WHP Increase of the number of specialist in the field of WHP Provision of information and knowledge on WHP amongst various partners Organization of training programmes needed for qualifications in the field of WHP Very specific and tailor-made initiatives for micro scale enterprises

13 Future Perspectives for WHP in Cyprus The role of upcoming National Health System on workers health Adequate financial and other support from the key stakeholders Emphasis should be placed for both health and safety issues Health policy at the enterprise level should be a matter of priority Health and Safety is integrated into the programme of elementary and secondary schools. Development of health culture Research studies on occupational health