A single amendment proposed by the European People's Party (EPP) to a European Parliament resolution on reducing work-related fatalities seeks to narrow the definition of workers at risk of attack from "public service workers" to "public authority officials performing law enforcement duties." The amendment, published on 19 May 2026 as part of the resolution B-10-2026-0244, would refocus the recital on violence against police, border guards, and similar personnel, explicitly linking the risk to the exercise of public authority and the legitimate use of force.
The amendment is the only one submitted to the resolution, with no competing proposals from other political groups such as S&D, Renew, Greens/EFA, ECR, or the Left. This suggests either tacit acceptance of the original broader wording or a lack of priority on this specific point among other groups.
Definitional scope at stake
whether the resolution should address violence against all public service workers—including teachers, social workers, and administrative staff—or focus specifically on law enforcement roles with inherent exposure to physical risk due to coercive functions. The EPP's change implies a desire to target the legislative response more precisely on those roles, rather than broadening it to include other public-facing workers.
Implications for protection and justification
The redefinition has two major implications. First, it explicitly excludes non-law enforcement public workers from the recital's acknowledgment of increased attacks, potentially influencing subsequent operative paragraphs on prevention, reporting, or support measures. Second, the amendment adds a causal link framing the risk as inherent to law enforcement functions, rather than a general societal trend affecting all public servants.
Impact on stakeholders
- Law enforcement personnel (police, border guards, customs officers): Would benefit from a more targeted acknowledgment of their specific risks, potentially leading to tailored prevention and support measures. - Non-law enforcement public workers (teachers, healthcare staff, social workers): Would be excluded from the recital's scope, potentially reducing visibility of violence they face and limiting future policy recommendations addressing their safety. - EU institutions: The amendment could set a precedent for narrowing the scope of future resolutions on workplace violence, focusing on enforcement roles rather than broader public service. - National authorities: May face pressure to implement differentiated protection regimes for law enforcement versus other public workers, complicating uniform safety standards.
Institutional follow-up
The resolution, including the amendment, is expected to proceed to a plenary vote in the European Parliament. If adopted, it would become Parliament's position, though it is non-binding. The Council and Commission may take it into account in future legislative initiatives on occupational safety and health. No trilogue or formal legislative procedure is triggered by a resolution alone.
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