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Adopted text

The need to reduce work-related fatalities

TA-10-2026-0191 · P10_TA(2026)0191 · PE782.343

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✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 4 Sept 2026

Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.

Parliament calls for a European Day in Remembrance of the Victims of Accidents at Work and for the Protection and Dignity of Workers, to be marked each year on 8 August, in memory of the Marcinelle tragedy. It urges action on AI risks, climate-related risks, violence, data collection, enforcement, and support for vulnerable workers, and calls for a new strategic framework for 2028-2034.

Key points

  1. Calls for the establishment of a European Day in Remembrance of the Victims of Accidents at Work and for the Protection and Dignity of Workers, to be marked each year on 8 August.
  2. Views the aims of the European Day as remembering victims and raising awareness, linked to current risks, and strengthening commitment to the 'Vision Zero' approach.
  3. Stresses the importance of strengthening workers' rights to information, consultation and participation through health and safety representatives and collective agreements.
  4. Calls on the Commission to assess and address occupational safety and health risks associated with AI and algorithmic management, including work intensification and psychosocial strain.
  5. Calls on the Commission to assess climate-related risks and step up preventive action, including guidance on managing heat at work.
  6. Calls for measures to implement a zero-tolerance approach to bullying, harassment and workplace violence, particularly in service and healthcare sectors.
  7. Calls on the Commission and EU-OSHA to publish EU-wide snapshots and country files on occupational diseases and fatalities, and to improve data collection.
  8. Calls on Member States to strengthen labour inspectorates with permanent staff, resources and independence, and to ensure dissuasive sanctions.
  9. Welcomes the evaluation of the European Labour Authority and calls for strengthening its mandate to improve enforcement of EU labour law.
  10. Calls on the Commission to define a new strategic framework for 2028-2034, aimed at reducing accidents and fatalities and addressing emerging risks.
  11. Calls for support for micro-enterprises and SMEs in managing occupational risks, and for ensuring protection for platform workers, third-country nationals and domestic workers.

Who is affected

  • Workers in high-risk sectors such as construction, transport, manufacturing and agriculture.
  • Young workers, who face higher accident rates.
  • Cross-border and migrant workers, including third-country nationals.
  • Emergency rescue workers and public authority officials exposed to violence.
  • Platform workers, domestic workers, and those in subcontracting chains.

Figures and deadlines

  • 3 298 fatal accidents and around 2,8 million non-fatal accidents in the EU in 2023.
  • Young workers have accident rates more than 40 % higher than experienced workers.
  • Cross-border workers face around 65 % higher risk of fatal accidents; third-country nationals three times greater risk.
  • Only about one in five accidents is reported for third-country nationals.

Legal basis: Articles 151, 153 and 156 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union