8.8.05

Parece-me que é verdade

Bavarians are hot under the collar over an EU directive that will force their barmaids to cover up, supposedly to protect them from the sun.

Brewery owners, politicians and most of the women themselves have condemned the legislation as absurd, claiming the "tan ban", as it has been nicknamed, will destroy a centuries-old tradition.

(...)

Under the EU's Optical Radiation Directive, employers of staff who work outdoors, including those in Bavaria's beer gardens, must ensure they cover up against the risk of sunburn.

(...)

The new legislation, which is due to be voted on in the European parliament next month, was defended by Wolfgang Kreissl-Dörfer, a Bavarian MEP. He said: "Sun rays have become more aggressive and there has been a huge increase in the amount of skin cancer."

The directive was initially accused of outlawing bare-chested British builders.

But Britain opted out of signing it, arguing that it was up to employees and employers to use their common sense to guard against the sun.
[fonte:Daily Telegraph]

Nesta notícia é desmentido que a directiva imponha directamente tais restrições mas diz que estas podem ser impostas pelas autoridades locais:
The EU Optical Radiation Directive was originally designed to protect employees who work with X-ray machines or hot industrial equipment.

The European Commission added an amendment including sunlight as another potential danger to be controlled.

An EU spokesman insisted that if the legislation came into force, there would be no need for anyone to change their clothes.

"These proposals are seeking to protect people working outdoors and exposed to the sun for long periods," he said.

"According to Cancer Research, there are 69,000 new cases of skin cancer diagnosed each year.

"What this calls for is employers to assess the risk of skin cancer and retina damage.

"The measures of how to do that and the measures to act if there is a risk will be decided at a local level - in the UK, for example, by the Health and Safety Executive.
[fonte: ITN]