Meeting the Challenge of Privatization: Its Impact on Occupational Health and Safety, Public Health and Environmental Protection

Abstract

This article summarizes the work at the 9th annual Symposium on Environment and Occupational Health during Societal Transition in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), held in June 1998 in Budapest, Hungary. Ninety-five participants from sixteen countries discussed global issues of privatization, international and European standards and programs, cooperation among trade union federations, legislative and policy changes since democratization and their impact on the environment and health and safety. The main challenge was to draw out strategies for improvement and define the role of trade unions, universities, NGOs, and occupational health and safety professionals in this complex process. The symposium included panel sessions and workshops on key topics, case studies, a poster session, and a site visit to a recently privatized Hungarian Oil and Gas Company.