Mustn’t Resign Ourselves to Workplace Deaths Says Mattarella

Rome: Italy must never resign itself to accepting workplace deaths, President Sergio Mattarella said on Tuesday in a message to the chairwoman of the Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry into Working Conditions in Italy for the States General conference on Occupational Health and Safety. “The second edition of the States General on Occupational Health and Safety is an opportunity to reaffirm, with renewed determination, the commitment not to give up in the face of accidents and deaths at work,” the head of State said.

According to Ansa News Agency, workplace deaths are a major problem in Italy, and Premier Giorgia Meloni’s government has said boosting health and safety is a priority. Work-related deaths in Italy rose by one last year to 1,202, workplace accident and occupation illness insurance agency INAIL said in its annual report in July.

“It is a daily sequel that dramatically reminds us every day how urgent it is to intervene,” Mattarella said. “A job is not a true job if it is not safe too. The guarantee that this principle is implemented requires the joint commitment of institutions, businesses, workers and social partners: an alliance capable of overcoming differences to pursue shared objectives. There can be no shortcuts on workers’ health and safety.”