Towards the promotion of a healthy working population

The new Communication on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) published this week by the European Commission builds on the last one from 2006 and creates a new platform and impetus for CSR in the European Union.  It aims to encourage companies to be involved even more in addressing employment and social issues within the Europe 2020 strategy, and is one means of securing an exit from the economic crisis. The European Commission firmly believes that if companies pay genuine attention to training, youth employment, dialogue with employee representatives, employee health and well-being, gender awareness, and diversity management they will be drivers of new commercial opportunities. This can only be good for reinforcement of the social market economy model, for the mitigation of recent job losses, and for the achievement of the 75% employment target.

For EuroHealthNet, as well as the link with individual well-being, employment is a major contributor to national and European productivity and competitiveness, with implications for the sustainability of social welfare systems.  Better working conditions are therefore needed to improve quality of lives and alleviate pressure on European welfare systems. Extending work life by wider entry into labour markets, good health during working years and appropriate retirement are preconditions for increasing the employment rates of all generations. Health promotion and disease prevention are therefore of utmost significance to help achieve smart, sustainable and inclusive growth by 2020 – the EU 2020 objectives.

To access EuroHealthNet position on the promotion of healthy working populations, click here or EuroHealthNet Policy and Advocacy Coordinator, Stecy Yghemonos - s.yghemonos@eurohealthnet.eu