Introduction
National strategies are vital policy instruments to enhance the effectiveness of an OSH system by defining the key priorities and actions for improving workers’ health and safety.
The Commission called on the Member States to update and draw up their national OSH strategies in line with the EU Strategic Framework on Health and Safety at Work 2021-2027 - in cooperation with social partners - to ensure that the new measures are applied on the ground.
The Ministry of Labour Pension System, Family and Social Policy is the main administrative body for safety and health at work in the Republic of Croatia and adopted the current National Plan for Labour, Safety at Work and Employment for the period from 2021 to 2027. The National Plan is a continuation of the National Program for Safety and Health at Work for the period from 2009 to 2013, which was extended to 2014. After that, occupational safety activities were carried out mostly within the strategic and annual work programs and activities of the public institution "Institute for the Improvement of Occupational Safety", and in some cases by other institutions.
More information on the various OSH systems can be found in the relevant OSHwiki articles on national OSH systems.
Basic information of the national OSH strategy
The National Plan for Labour, Safety at Work and Employment for the period from 2021 to 2027 (no official translation) is available in Croatian, an English version is not available. The original title is Nacionalni plan za rad, zaštitu na radu i zapošljavanje za razdoblje od 2021. do 2027. godine [1]
An Action Plan for the implementation of the National Plan for Labour, Safety at Work and Employment for the period from 2021 to 2027 exists for the period 2021 to 2024. Original title: Akcijski plan za provedbu Nacionalnog plana za rad, zaštitu na radu i zapošljavanje za razdoblje od 2021. do 2027. godine, za razdoblje od 2021. do 2024. godine[2]
The former National Programme on Health and Safety at Work for the period from 2009 to 2013[3] was adopted by the Ministry of Economy, Labour and Entrepreneurship. The National Programme was extended to 2014. From 2014 until 2021 occupational safety activities were carried out mostly within the strategic and annual work programmes and activities of the public institution "Institute for the Improvement of Occupational Safety".
Background and the perceived problem
In December 2021 the Government of the Republic of Croatia adopted the National Plan for Labour, Safety at Work and Employment for the period from 2021 to 2027 and the Action Plan for its implementation. The National Plan is a continuation and upgrade of previous activities, with objectives and recommendations for further improvement of occupational safety and health. It will contribute to the establishment of a harmonised and perspective labour market and a safe and healthy workplace. The aim is to increase the employment rate, raise the quality of workplaces and ensure the health and safety of workers at their workplaces. Healthy workplaces will have a direct impact on workers satisfaction and productivity. The Republic of Croatia will create a positive work environment.
Vision (quote, no official translation): "By 2027, the Republic of Croatia will have a competent and adaptable workforce, which will be able to meet the demands of the labour market and workers who will be satisfied with their job including their safe and healthy working conditions"
Main characteristics and objectives of the OSH strategy (activity plan)
The National Plan builds up on an analysis of the working situation in Croatia, covering the area
- quality of workplaces
- occupational safety and health
- employment
The analysis was used to define needs and to set up priorities for the National programme:
Priority 1: Satisfied workers
Priority 2: Safe and healthy workplaces
Priority 3: Adaptable and employable workforce
Priority 4: Increasing the activity of the working age population
Details of the strategy and activity plan
Axis description
The National plan describes the public policy priorities 1 to 4 in the medium term and lists the specific objectives with corresponding outcome indicators, descriptions, and related implementation measures.
The Action Plan describes in detail the measures for implementing the specific objectives. Following information can be found for each measure:
- The purpose of implementation
- Contribution to the implementation of the specific objective
- Result indicators
- Estimated costs of the implementation
The National Plan includes two development lines, strategic goals, four priorities, four specific objectives
Development line 1: Sustainable economy and society
Development line 2: Strengthening resilience to crisis
Development line 1. "Sustainable economy and society"
Strategic goal 2. "Educated and employed people"
Priority 1: Satisfied workers
Specific objective 1: Improving the quality of jobs
Measures to implement the specific objective:
1.1 Ensure greater job stability
1.2. Improve working conditions when working through digital platforms
Development line 2. "Strengthening resilience to crises"
Strategic goal 5. "Healthy, active and quality life"
Priority 2: Safe and healthy workplace
Specific objective 2: Improving the state of health and safety at work in the Republic of Croatia
Measures to implement the specific objective:
2.1. Digitisation of OiRA online risk assessment tools
2.2. Informatisation of risk assessment
2.3. Introduction of continuous professional development of stakeholders in the occupational safety system
2.4. Preventive action of the competent occupational medicine specialist at the workplace.
2.5. Upgrading the Occupational Safety Information system
2.6. Increasing the awareness of employers and workers about the importance of prevention in the field of safety and health at work
2.7. Increase the number of labour inspectors and increase the number of conducted inspections
2.8. Raising the quality of work and the level of responsibility of the work of persons authorised to perform safety at work
2.9. Development of social dialogue and partnerships of trade unions and employers' associations.
2.10. Introduction of occupational safety and health management system according to the HRN ISO standard 45001
Development line 1. "Sustainable economy and society"
Strategic goal 2. "Educated and employed people"
Priority 3: Adaptable and employable workers
Specific objective 3: Strengthening the competencies of the workforce
Measures to implement the specific objective:
3.1. Mapping the skills needed in the labour market as a basis for creating educational programmes and awarding vouchers
3.2. Determining the skills and potential of the workforce for the purpose of lifelong professional guidance and career development
3.3. Implementation of the Croatian Qualifications Framework (CROQF) in the field of occupational standards
3.4. Educating the unemployed and employed persons to acquire green and digital skills by awarding vouchers
3.5. Development of analytical bases (digital sector profiles) for predictions of labour market needs and creation of evidence-based employment policies
3.6. Monitoring the employment of persons with acquired qualifications in order to make recommendations for enrolment policy
3.7. Strengthening the availability of lifelong professional guidance services for career selection and development and educational programs in accordance with the needs of the labour market
Priority 4: Increasing the activity of the working age population
Specific objective 4: Improve access to the labour market for the unemployed and inactive persons
Measures to implement the specific objective:
4.1. Improving the system of profiling and segmentation of unemployed persons
4.2. Development and implementation of appropriate active employment policy measures with emphasis on vulnerable groups
4.3. Monitoring and evaluation of the outcome of active employment policy measures
4.4. Developing a support system for the inclusion of inactive working age persons in the labour market with special emphasis on persons in NEET (youth not in employment, education or training) status
4.5. Strengthening the capacity of the Croatian Employment Service (CES) in providing vacancy information and employment mediation services
4.6. Analysis of the adequacy of cash benefits during unemployment
4.7. Encouraging the employment of vulnerable groups through social entrepreneurship
4.8. Encouraging the employment and work activation of Croatian veterans and members of their families by implementing the professional training and employment program for Croatian veterans and members of their families
Actors and stakeholders
In the Action Plan actors and stakeholders to implement the objectives of the Plan are listed:
- Ministry of Labour Pension System, Family and Social Policy - MROSP
- Croatian Institute for Public Health - HZJZ
- Croatian Employers’ Association - HUP
- Croatian Employment Service - CES
- Ministry of Croatian Veterans’ Affairs – MHB
- State Inspectorate - DI
Resources and time frame
The National Plan for Labour Safety at Work and Employment for the period from 2021 to 2027 covers the period from 2021 to 2027, the Action Plan covers the period from 2021 to 2024.
The National Plan and the Action Plan describe in detail the resources planned for the implementation of the programmes. In total it is planned to spend a total of HRK 10,841,380,881.21 for the period from 2021 to 2027.
The sum will be divided between the different objectives:
HRK 300.000,00 is needed for the implementation of Special Objective 1: Improving the quality of jobs, and the funds are planned in the State Budget
HRK 3.744.000,00 is needed for the implementation of Special Objective 2: Improving the state of health and safety at work in the Republic of Croatia, and the funds are planned in the State Budget.
HRK 437.927.295,00 is estimated for the implementation of Special Objective 3: Strengthening the competencies of the workforce, and the funds are planned in the State Budget.
HRK 10.399.409.586,21 is estimated for the implementation of Special Objective 4: Improving access to the labour market for unemployed and inactive persons, and the funds are planned in the State Budget.
Evaluation
A regular evaluation of the outcome of the implementation of measures will be performed. This will be the basis for redefining existing measures and defining new ones.
Ex ante indicators
- Workplace satisfaction rate
- Number of injuries at work
- Number of professional diseases
- Number of fatalities at work
- Number of unemployed persons who were employed in the period of 12 months after the completion of the educational program
- Number of persons who remained employed in the period from 12 months after completing the educational program
- Number of employees 6 months after leaving the active employment policy measure
Relationship to EU Strategic Framework
The National Plan follows the EU strategic Framework in three main goals: Managing changes deriving from green, digital and demographic transition, improving the prevention of accidents and increasing prepardness for possible future crises. The development of a culture of prevention runs as a common thread through the national strategy.
OSH risks and opportunities related to green and digital transitions are especially addressed in objective 3 - Strengthening the compenetncies of the workforce.
Key objective 2 of the EU strategic Framework is covered especially in objective 2, measure 2.6 “Increasing the awareness of employers and workers about the importance of prevention in the field of safety and health at work “
Prevention of OSH risks are mentioned in general: prevention of occupational injuries, occupational and occupational diseases, the number of fatalities and stress at work. Dangerous substances, musculoskeletal diseases are not mentioned directly.
Measure 3.7 deals with the prevention of social exclusion by increasing the quality of education, increasing those involved in tertiary education and adult education, higher employment rates, achieving professional and personal success of individuals.
A focus is on inclusion of vulnerable groups, young workers (Youth Guarantee), veterans (measure 4.8).
