Compensación a danesas "nocturnas"

Danish night-shifters compensated

Las compensaciones son para mujeres que han desarrollado cáncer de mama tras años de trabajo nocturno.

The Danish government has started paying compensation to women who have developed breast cancer following years of working night-shifts. The Scottish Trades Union Congress is calling on the UK government to take the risks of night-shifts more seriously.

Reporter: Kenneth MacDonald in Glasgow

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For years evidence has been mounting that night working causes ill health, from disturbed sleep patterns to increased accidents. But these are the first government payments to women who've developed breast cancer after long spells on the night-shift. Ulla Mahnkopf, a former flight attendant , is one of them:

Ulla Mahnkopf: 'I wouldn't fly for that many years, I wouldn't, definitely not. Because it's cancer you can die from, so I'd like to stay alive.'

The Danish authorities acted following a decision by the International Agency for Research and Cancer. The agency, part of the UN World Health Organisation, now ranks night working as a probable cancer risk , just one category below known carcinogens like asbestos.

Union leaders have told Radio Scotland, the investigation programme that the UK government isn't doing enough to deal with the dangers. The Health and Safety Executive says it's commissioned its own study but its conclusions aren't expected for another two years.

Listen to the words

evidence has been mounting
ha habido más y más pruebas

disturbed sleep patterns
patrones de sueño trastornados

long spells
períodos largos

flight attendant
azafata

definitely
definitivamente

ranks night working as a probable cancer risk
considera que trabajar de noche puede ser una causa de cáncer

carcinogens
cancerígeno

commissioned
ha encargado

conclusions
conclusiones

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