Boris Kunst of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) welcomed the amendments which are designed to define more precisely obligations and responsibilities of employers, notably their responsibility for the systematic assessment of potential threats to workers' health.
In this context, Kunst said that there were nearly 250,000 invalids with work-related disability in Croatia, and urged "draconian penalties" for offenders who intentionally breach legislation on health and safety at work.
He welcomed the proposed provision that workers should undergo thorough medical examinations every three years.
Biljana Borzan of the opposition Social Democratic Party (SDP) warned that every year between 25 and 50 workers died in accidents at their place of work.
Of the 360,000 employers, a mere 32,000 have carried out preventive measures against work accidents, she said, calling for more funds to be invested in the prevention of accidents and work-related diseases.
For instance, in 2008, HRK 670 million was spent on the medical treatment of those who were injured at work, as against HRK 64 million invested in prevention, she said.