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UNI Europa Hair and Beauty has challenged a decision by the European Commission to scrap proposals for legal occupational health and safety standards in the hairdressing sector. The moves comes after European Commission President José Manuel Barroso blocked the request of trade union and hairdressing sector representatives to transform their agreement on health and safety into law.



In a letter printed in Monday’s Financial Times, UNI General Secretary Philip Jennings and UNI Europa Hair and Beauty President Poul Monnggard said the proposal “makes sensible recommendations to avoid employees being at risk from chemicals with which they come into contact within the salons,” and that Barroso's refit was "a misfit as far as Europe's hairdressers are concerned."



The full letter reads as follows:



Dear Sir,



Regarding the article, “European Commission chief Barroso aims to cut red tape”: President Barroso’s refit is a misfit as far as Europe’s hairdressers are concerned. The agreement on health and safety in the sector makes no reference to “high heels,” instead it sensibly asks for staff to wear non-slip shoes.



It is disrespectful to hairdressers to make stereotypes and make light of what is a serious subject. The agreement also makes sensible recommendations to avoid employees being at risk from the chemicals with which they come into contact within the salons. Hairdressers are the profession with the highest level of skin disease.