Two More Workplace Deaths in Italy Amid Rising Fatalities

Milan: Two more workers were killed in accidents in Italy on Tuesday, raising the number of fatal labour-related accidents to five in less than two days.

According to Ansa News Agency, a 62-year-old man lost his life after being struck by a vehicle while unloading goods at the company yard where he was employed in Carpiano, near Milan, early on Tuesday. The UIL trade union reported that the man had been compelled to return to work at a logistics centre due to the cost-of-living crisis, which rendered his pension inadequate.

In a separate incident, a 24-year-old construction worker succumbed to injuries after falling from scaffolding in the Lambrate district of Milan. These fatalities follow three other work-related deaths that occurred on Monday. A worker was electrocuted in the Ciociaria area between Rome and Naples, another construction worker died from a fall near Naples, and a worker was killed at a metal plant in Veneto.

Premier Giorgia Meloni has announced that her government is allocating 650 million euros in new funds to enhance workplace health and safety, a move made prior to the May Day national holiday last week. The government plans to meet with trade unions on Thursday to address the ongoing issues regarding health and safety in the workplace.

The workplace accident insurance agency INAIL revealed on Monday that work-related deaths have increased by 8.37% to 205 in the first quarter of the year.