NEWS RELEASE
26 August 2004
STUC WELCOMES SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE INITIATIVE TO IMPROVE ILL HEALTH IN SCOTTISH WORKPLACES The STUC has welcomed the announcement of a new Scottish Executive strategy to ensure that Scottish workers who suffer from ill health are able to continue in employment.
Ian Tasker, STUC Health and Safety Officer, who will be attending the launch in Aberdeen said,
"The STUC has been involved in developing this initiative and recognise the efforts of the Executive to address the issues of ill health in the workplace. We see this as the first strand of ensuring workers in all Scottish workplaces have access to independent occupational health support and advice to ensure they continue in employment."
"Investigating the functional capacity of workers throughout their employment has been proven to extend working live. The STUC view such occupational health models, which already exist in Sweden and Finland, as the standard to which we should aspire".
"Maintaining employability is crucial to ensuring workers are supported at times of ill-health and not consigned to a life off accessing benefits and social exclusion".
"We therefore look forward to continuing to work with the Scottish Executive on initiatives such as healthy working lives and other government agencies. including the DWP, to ensure people remain in work and if necessary are provided with all assistance to facilitate independent and meaningful rehabilitation programmes".
Ends
For further comment, please contact :
Ian Tasker