Spain: Rise in occupational diseases

In September 2015, Spanish trade union UGT published a report on occupational diseases up to August 2015, analysing data for the period January–August 2015 (by gender, age, economic activity, region, etc.) and comparing them to previous years. The report finds that a total of 13,092 workers suffering occupational diseases were registered in Spain, 1,701 more cases than in the same period the previous year (15% increase).

The report highlights the increase in particular of cases of occupational disease without leave (i.e. which do not cause the worker to be on leave as a consequence of the disease), and it links this increase to the fear of losing their job experienced by the affected workers, given their precarious conditions in the labour market. Against this situation, the report calls for a stricter enforcement of the regulation concerning labour risks prevention, together with a strong commitment from the social partners and the government to effectively reduce work accident figures.

 (Source: Press note by UGT trade union, full report)