Work is liberating. The phrase is certainly very harsh and reminiscent of Nazi times. She was seen by those who passed through the concentration camp gates. Many, then, did not understand what awaited them. Today everyone knows.
In Greece, 174 work accidents have been recorded so far, according to data available to the GSEE. Even worse, the European Organization for Health and Safety at Work, after the controls it carried out, estimates that 2,500 people lose their lives in our country due to occupational diseases!
We must finally, as a Society, understand that work does NOT liberate. Work is useful to be able to live with dignity. Not to deprive us of the most precious asset we have, namely life itself.
The role of the State is to protect workers from the phenomena of labor exploitation. This is precisely where the great risk of causing an accident at work lies: when the worker is forced to do things beyond their capabilities, when they are forced to work well beyond their ability to resist, then automatically the risk of an accident at work increases dramatically.
Furthermore, the role of the State is to establish rules and control their implementation. Companies that respect workers should not be “hated” by those who exploit them.
Unfortunately, however, the Ministry of Labor, over the last three years, has made a point of supporting, with separate legislative interventions, overwork. The start was made with the “opening” at 10 am. Some excuses from the then Minister of Labor, Kostis Hatzidakis, who was referring to the workers who will be able to harvest their olives, do not resist comments. Instead, they insult the workers themselves and belittle them.
The continuation was made a year ago, with the institution of the right to work up to 13 hours a day, as long as it is not with the same employer. This was followed by six-day employment for specific categories of companies, which was also instituted and has been implemented since mid-summer.
Obviously, the need for better monthly wages leads workers to intensify their work. Even if they have to work much more than they can handle. Sometimes, however, such a thing comes at a price, which is sometimes very expensive.
On the other hand, companies facing labor shortages and rapidly increasing job vacancies must find a solution. It is possible that all of the legislation above is moving in this direction. But the end result, if it endangers human life itself, is particularly negative. Regardless of profits and growth rates, human life must always come first.
Lots of excuses. But reality doesn’t change. Work accidents exist to remind everyone (governments, companies and workers) of their choices, but also of their responsibilities. Time for them to take control.