"The European Union, International Labour Organisation and other international organisations have criticised the ongoing practice in new and candidate countries to pay danger money for hazardous and health-damaging work. The new EU Member States claimed to be fully harmonized with EU health and safety legislation at the time of enlargement in May 2004. But, the law in many countries allows workers to be paid a supplement for hazardous work. Instead of bringing the working environment up to standard, employers simply offer extra pay and/or benefits, and frequent medical check-ups. Workers understandably are not complaining. Firstly, they fear for their job if they do, and secondly, the cash incentive is reasonably high, even though living standards remain low. Even so, the Framework Directive requires workers' health not to be put at risk. For many years, developed countries have been working towards the same solution: moving away from compensation and towards preventive health and safety. But it is also about better legislation, stronger enforcement and constantly improving health and safety awareness among both employers and workers. ..."

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