"Health and safety at work has never been taken for granted. It was and is the result of hard fights. like all workers' rights," stressed SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance leader Sokratis Famellos in his message for the International Day for Health and Safety at Work on Monday.
"Over the last six years, the government of the New Democracy has been 'tearing up' these conquests one by one. It weakens control in the workplace, introduces new flexible working relationships, leaves employer arbitrariness unchecked, undercuts workplace accidents and injuries, sacrifices the safety of workers on the altar of profit," Famellos said, stressing that "this year we are already counting another negative record, over 55 deaths and over 75 injured workers, while the competent ministry is trying to downplay the issue".
"We are talking about human lives, not numbers. The government's choices are criminal and callous to the people of labour," he said.
"We demand health and safety at work. With the necessary strengthening of the Hellenic Labour Inspectorate and inspections, support for labour rights, institutions, staffing of services and collective contracts. We stand by the side of the workers because we do not accept a daily routine of fear, uncertainty and job insecurity", added Famellos.