EULAR and European social policy
Europe is more and more influencing local policies in the area of social and employment affairs. This is why European organisations have increasingly become partners for the development of new political and legislative approaches from the "central" level. EU law today impacts heavily in fields like the fight against disability and discrimination, protection of workers in the work place or limitation of working time.
Rheumatic Diseases are the single biggest cause of physical disability. The diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue such as arthritis or osteoporosis also are particularly important in terms of cost of disability benefits. Whereas traditional disability policy focused only on handicaps such as blindness or deafness, modern approaches recognise the importance of chronic diseases as disabling conditions. EULAR strives to address all aspects of disability in the medical and political debate.
EULAR Brussels Declaration 2008 - Calling for the recognition and enforcement of the rights of people with arthritis and rheumatic conditions
The 5th Alliance Against Arthritis Day 2008 focused on recognition of the needs of people with rheumatic diseases. EULAR wants to fight misperceptions on rheumatic diseases and to ensure the active inclusion of the people affected in society to allow them to enjoy the same rights as any citizen of the European Union. To this end, the EULAR Brussels Declaration 2008 summarises key demands of the rheumatic disease community towards policy makers at European and national level.
The EULAR Work Charter - Integrating people with rheumatic conditions in work life
People affected by rheumatic conditions/arthritis and other musculoskeletal diseases want to chose freely their way of integration into working life. EULAR supports projects aiming at facilitating access or return to work. In early 2009, as an outcome of the 6th Alliance Against Arthritis Action Day, the EULAR Work Charter was launched. The Charter aims at raising awareness of the needs of people with chronic conditions at the work place. It calls for a real dialogue with employers, insurers and policy makers to shape proper conditions for work ability. New work organisation models are promoted as a way of getting more people who want to work (back) into work. EULAR also collaborates with Fit for Work in this matter.
European disability legislation
Disability policies are essentially a responsibility of the EU Member States. However, Community policies and actions impact in many ways on the situation of disabled people. In addition, Article 13 of the EC Treaty provides the legal basis for EU measures to combat discrimination based on disability.
In recent years, the European Union has adopted several directives to fight discrimination in day to day life. This work will continue over the coming years. EULAR as the representative organisation for a wide range of disabling conditions works in partnership with European and international organisations to improve the life of millions of people with these conditions. Getting better disability legislation at European and national level is one of EULAR's main objectives.
RELATED INFORMATION
Brussels declaration 2008
EULAR Charter of Work