Belgium: no alcohol or drugs in businesses

13% of workers under the influence of alcohol. So far, the only legal system to fight against drug and alcohol consumption at work dated from before world war two. It was article 99 of the general regulation for the protection of labor. The latter provides that it is forbidden to bring alcoholic beverages with over 6% of alcohol inside the company. Yet, today, 13% of Belgian workers excessively drink alcohol at work. This is the observation of a recent study by Securex, specialized in social administration and human resources. These workers are mostly employees under 30, male, with a security job or in the industrial sector. Since drug or alcohol consumption has an impact on the ability to perform one’s duty (limited abilities, absence, stress), employers now have to develop a policy to prevent possible operational problems. This is what stipulates CCT No. 100, which the social partners signed on April 1st, 2009 (see our dispatch No. 090376). Indeed, the employer is jointly responsible since one of his tasks is to ensure work is performed in decent conditions regarding workers’ health and safety.
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09 (see our dispatch No. 090376). Indeed, the employer is jointly responsible since one of his tasks is to ensure work is performed in decent conditions regarding workers’ health and safety.

Preventive policy. “We wanted to focus on prevention rather than sanctions” insisted Lieve Ponnet, advisor at the general management of the Belgian Federal Public Service Employment, Labor and Social Dialog. Thus, at first, employers have to determine objectives for the fight against drug and alcohol consump

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