The Commission is proposing 8 August as “European Day for Victims of Accidents at Work”

Brussels – The European Commission has decided to propose 8 August as a European Day in memory of the victims of workplace accidents and for the protection of workers’ dignity. The announcement was made by the Executive Vice-President responsible for Cohesion and Reforms, Raffaele Fitto. 8 August commemorates the Marcinelle tragedy, which took place in 1956. On that day, 262 miners of 12 different nationalities, including 136 Italians, lost their lives at the Bois du Cazier mine in Belgium. 

8 August, as the European Day in Memory of the Victims of Accidents at Work, “is intended to serve as a symbol to honour the victims, raise awareness of the importance of health and safety at work, and strengthen our shared commitment to reducing and eliminating accidents and occupational diseases,” says Fitto.