News

More than 3 million people working in the European commerce sector have been victims of verbal and physical attacks from customers while working in a retail or a wholesale company.

The effects of these attacks can have devastating consequences for the victim because of the negative psychological impact, resulting in the diminished quality of life at both personal and professional level.



In order to sensitize and raise awareness of the public and the authorities on the extent of the problem of violence in shops, the Social Partners of the commerce sector have decided to launch a unique initiative called “STOP IT!”. This project is being implemented with the financial support of the European Commission.



“STOP IT!” is a toolkit meant to directly help employees and employers to improve the safety in the workplace. It is based on best practices from across Europe on how to deal with the issue of violence from customers at the workplace.



In order to present the concrete outcome of their joint initiative and to have a wide debate with the relevant actors, the European Social Partners of the commerce sector have the pleasure to invite you to their conference on Wednesday 21 October 10:30 – 18:00 at the Hotel Hilton, Boulevard de Waterloo, 38, B-1000 Brussels.



This conference is primarily intended for the representatives from EuroCommerce, UNI Europa Commerce, the European Commission, the EU-OSHA (EU reference point for safety and health at work) as well as representatives of employers and trade unions at both crosssectoral and sectoral level. In addition, representatives of the public authorities at local and regional level, of social NGOs and other bodies specialised in occupational health and safety are welcome to the conference.



Please fill in your registration form and send it to guedes@eurocommerce.be by no later

than 9 October.



Travel expenses, as well as accommodation for one night in the conference hotel, will be reimbursed according to EU regulation and upon presentation of invoices.

A hotel block-booking has been made for 70 rooms at the Hilton Hotel. You are kindly requested to book your room directly by sending the enclosed form to the Hilton Hotel (guillaume.pelisson@hilton.com) or by fax : + 32 2 504 37 50. Should you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact Ilaria Savoini (savoini@eurocommerce.be) or Jakob Thiemann (jakob.thiemann@uniglobalunion.org)



Looking forward to seeing you soon,

Yours faithfully,

Access all documentation and further information: http://www.eurocommerce.be/content.aspx?PageId=41605