What changed

B100244/2026

P10_TA(2026)0191

European Parliament resolution on theThe need to reduce workrelatedwork-related fatalities

(2025/3046(RSP))

PE782.343

European Parliament resolution of 21 May 2026 on the need to reduce workrelated fatalities (2025/3046(RSP))

The European Parliament,

A. whereas health and safety at work is a basic pillar of European social policy and a key element in the protection of human dignity, workers’ fundamental rights and fair and safe working conditions;

B. whereas 3 298 fatal accidents at work and around 2.82,8 million non-fatal accidents resulting in at least four days’ absence from work were recorded in the EU in 2023; whereas these statistics continue to highlight serious problems in high-risk sectors with high incidence of occupational accidents, such as construction, transport, manufacturing and agriculture;

C. whereas young workers have an increased vulnerability to serious accidents at work compared with their older colleagues, with rates more than 40 % higher than those of more experienced workers, reflecting their increased vulnerability due to limited work experience, insufficient training and lower awareness of workplace hazards; whereas they may be exposed to poor working conditions that can lead to occupational diseases during their youth or later in life;

E. whereas workers in sectors such as health and social care are exposed to violence and psychosocial risks, and also face significant and often underestimated risks to their safety; whereas violence and bullying at work can cause serious psychological harm and have been associated with an increased risk of mental health issues; whereas these phenomena are reported in health and care services in particular;

F. whereas in recent years, several Member States have reported a significant increase in attacks against public serviceauthority workersofficials performing law enforcement duties, as well as emergency rescue workers; whereas certain professional activities, in particular those related to the exercise of public authority and the legitimate use of force, are characterised by structural and permanent exposure to the risk of serious physical injury or death resulting from deliberate acts of violence by third parties; whereas threats and deliberate acts of violence against emergency rescue workers, such as paramedics and firefighters, are a rather new phenomenon,phenomenon; whereas such exposure, involving deliberate acts by third parties, distinguishes these professions from other forms of hazardous work and justifies specific recognition of the nature of the risks involved;

G. whereas cross-border and migrant workers, including workers from third countries, are particularly vulnerable to labour exploitation and forms of illegality linked to work; whereas research shows that globally, such workers face an approximately 70 % higher risk of work-related fatal accidents compared with local workers, and that for the EU, the risk also remains significantly higher, at around 65 %, particularly for workers from eastern Europe; whereas third-country nationals face a three times greater risk of work-related accidents and it is estimated that only about one in five accidents is reported, highlighting a serious underestimation of the phenomenon and a need to strengthen protection and enforcement mechanisms and comply with legality and the dignity of work;