Workplace safety is a major national emergency that must be addressed 365 days a year. April 28 is the International Day for Health and Safety at Work, established in 2003 by the International Labor Organization (ILO). «The CISL has always, and in particular in recent months, faced it with widespread mobilization in the workplace and in the territories, with firmness but also with great concreteness». This was reiterated by the general secretary of CISL Puglia, Antonio Castellucci. «The Inail data on the Apulian territory show, in the first two months of the year, the highest number of complaints in Bari, followed by Lecce and Taranto. The accident cases in Puglia – he continues – were 4,223, of which 1,455 women and 2,768 men. In 2023 there were a total of 3,971 complaints, or 252 fewer”.
The greatest accidents occurred, in January and February 2024, mainly in the health and social care sectors (352 reports), manufacturing activities (226), trade (201) and construction (208). In the same period, there were 7 reports of accidents with fatal outcomes. «There have been several days that we are dedicating to training and information – explains Castellucci – with delegates, Rls and professionals, institutions, and which has seen the last April 13th an important stage with a large national demonstration of our CISL trade union confederation in Rome. The CISL has once again invited a concrete common front between institutions, businesses and trade unions, just as we have asked for more controls, prevention, information and more sanctions for those who do not respect the relevant regulations”.
Numerous initiatives have been carried out by the CISL Puglia with the regional categorical structures, territorial confederations, employment offices, bodies and associations of the Organization, as well as the regional Inail, with which we collaborated on the production and diffusion of the short film “Conto Terzi”. Its screening also took place in several schools which allowed for a dialogue with over a thousand girls and boys on these important issues.
«The cultural and educational issue that sees the world of knowledge and school as crucial for future generations is certainly decisive. We are convinced – he concludes – that we need to act on the training of workers but also with determination on that of entrepreneurs. It is necessary to guarantee in every workplace, safety representation duly elected/designated by workers through the regular exercise of the role, close to the necessary “greater responsibility” of the company. It is good to clarify, once and for all, that the lives of workers are not negotiable.”
