Updated EU law will ensure a cancer free working environment - Francis Zammit Dimech

Cancer is linked to more than half of work-related deaths in the EU. At the European Parliament, I have worked to strengthen EU legislation to protect people from carcinogens in the workplace. Member States now need to do their part and assist the industry to implement such laws in the best interest of all workers.

MEP Francis Zammit Dimech made these remarks after the European Parliament adopted an updated law on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens or mutagens at work, with 586 votes in favour, 10 against and 26 abstentions.

The Directive will be improving protection of workers against substances causing cancer at work place. The Directive introduces stricter limit values for exposure of workers to five substances causing cancer including Cadnium, Formaldehyde and arsenic acid. These chemicals are used in various work places including laboratories, electronics, construction, healthcare, plastics, glass and waste management among others, and thus, this move will prevent risks for thousands of workers.  Zammit Dimech served as the EPP Group Rapporteur on this issue in the Committee on Legal Affairs.

Zammit Dimech, who is a member of the 'MEPs Against Cancer Group', recalled how he had made the fight against cancer a top priority in his work at the European Parliament. Over the past days, Zammit Dimech launched 30 proposals calling for local, national and European actions to step up the fight against cancer. One of these proposals was to ensure that the updated directive will be swiftly implemented in Malta, and for businesses to be given assistance to ensure that the working environment is safe from substances causing cancer.

Zammit Dimech said that there should be a continuous effort across the EU in terms of research, to identify further substances causing cancer and to update legislation accordingly. He said that the fight against cancer will continue to be a top priority for him at the European Parliament.