Work-related deaths: it is time for the EU to act

8 August to become European Day in Remembrance of the Victims of Accidents at Work and for the Protection and Dignity of Workers

Need to address occupational health and safety risks associated with AI and algorithmic management

Call on EU-countries to strengthen labour inspectorates with permanent staff and adequate resources

On Wednesday, Employment and Social Affairs Committee MEPs adopted a motion for resolution calling for a reduction in the number of work-related accidents, diseases and deaths.

In remembrance of the victims of accidents at work and of occupational diseases, the resolution MEPs endorsed a resolution asking for 8 August to become the European Day in Remembrance of the Victims of Accidents at Work and for the Protection and Dignity of Workers. The text was adopted by Employment and Social Affairs Committee MEPs by 45 votes in favour, no votes against, and 6 abstentions.

The day would aim to raise awareness, they argue, about the importance of prevention and safety at work at public, enterprises, and institutions, together with a roll-out of concrete initiatives in schools and workplaces.

Health and safety risks related to AI

Employment and Social Affairs MEPs also want the Commission to assess and address occupational health and safety risks associated with AI and algorithmic management systems. MEPs say that workers engaged through digital labour platforms and those whose tasks, pace and performance are directed or evaluated by AI-based tools, can face heightened risks due to intensified work rhythms, abusive monitoring, and insufficient transparency in algorithmic decision-making.

Heat risks at work

The resolution calls on the Commission to assess and anticipate occupational safety and health risks related to climate-related factors, such as heat stress, extreme weather events, and air pollution. MEPs want better preventive action based on this assessment, in order to strengthen resilience and preparedness within national occupational safety and health system.

Extreme heat and climate change impacts need to be recognised as major occupational risk factors, MEPs say, who say there is a need for strengthened preventive, protective and adaptive workplace measures, to reduce work-related accidents, occupational diseases and fatalities.

Inspections

To help achieve safe and healthy workplaces, Employment and Social Affairs MEPs underline the importance of regulatory occupational health and safety inspections and call on EU-countries to strengthen labour inspectorates with permanent staff, adequate resources and institutional independence.

Quote

Chiara Gemma (ECR, IT), rapporteur, said: “This resolution reaffirms occupational safety as a fundamental right and calls for stronger prevention, enforcement and labour inspections. It addresses new risks, including digitalisation and psychosocial stress, and highlights the need to better recognise occupational diseases. Remembering past tragedies must lead to concrete action now and in the future to protect every worker.”

Background

In the EU in 2023, there were 3.298 fatal accidents at work and around 2.8 million non-fatal accidents resulting in at least four days’ absence from work, with serious problems in high-risk sectors such as construction, transport, manufacturing and agriculture.