Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 November 2006
98 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has studied the results of the Fourth European Working Conditions Survey, which states that Ireland has one of the highest levels of reported exposure to violence, or the threat of violence, in the workplace of 27 countries surveyed with 8% of workers reporting such incidents in the previous twelve month period; and his proposals to deal with this phenomenon. [37766/06]
View answer120 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the recent findings of the EU Living and Working Conditions report that violence in the workplace in Ireland is the third highest in the EU; and the measures his Department will take to address the issue. [37980/06]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 98 and 120 together.
The European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions has not yet completed work on the "Fourth European Working Conditions Survey", referred to in the Deputies' questions. The Foundation published its "first findings" on 7th November last and the full report is due to be published in February 2007.
I understand that the survey, which was conducted in 2005 covering nearly 30,000 workers in 31 countries, shows that bullying or harassment, violence or the threat of violence, and various forms of discrimination all contribute to psychological ill-health and stress. Around 5% of workers reported having experienced some form of violence, bullying or harassment in the workplace in the previous 12 month period. In general, exposure to violence and threats of violence was greater in northern Europe, with higher than average levels reported in the Netherlands(10%), France and the UK (9%) and Ireland (8%).
These figures certainly give cause for concern. It would appear that an issue to be addressed is "attitude of employers to increasing workplace violence." To address this, I am advised that the National Workplace Health and Wellbeing Strategy, which is due to be published in early 2007, will recommend a more proactive role by employers in minimising the risk of violence to employees.
In addition, I am also advised that the Health and Safety Authority intends to carry out inspections in relation to violence in the healthcare sector in 2007. Already, the Authority has published general guidance on the prevention of violence at work and specific guidance on the prevention of violence in healthcare as well as for the cash in transit industry.
I look forward to publication of the full report by the European Foundation and following its publication, I will ask the relevant agencies under the aegis of the Department to have regard to its findings in the development and implementation of their programmes of work.
Finally I might also mention that a survey completed in Ireland in 2001, and which I am now having updated by the ESRI, revealed that 7% of workers experienced bullying in the previous 6 month period.
