MEPs differed sharply on how to tackle workplace deaths, accidents, and psychosocial risks during a European Parliament debate on World Day for Safety and Health at Work on 28 April 2026. Divergences centred on enforcement methods, proportional regulation, and whether to address broader social inequality.
Liesbet Sommen (EPP) demanded stricter requirements and well-staffed inspectorates, while Chiara Gemma (ECR) backed prevention but warned against demonising enterprises, calling for proportional laws. Gabriele Bischoff (S&D) urged a zero-fatality objective and linked protection to a quality-of-work proposal. Maria Ohisalo (Greens/EFA) highlighted ILO estimates of 840,000 global deaths from psychosocial risks and urged EU legislation. Laurent Castillo (PfE) stressed the lack of a harmonised burnout definition and called for its recognition as an occupational illness. Grégory Allione (Renew) linked safety to competitiveness and emphasised first-aid training and volunteer firefighters. Konstantinos Arvanitis (The Left) criticised non-compliance with existing rules and proposed a parliamentary observatory and accident registration. Petar Volgin (ESN) argued that poverty and inequality force workers to accept unsafe conditions, urging leaders to fight poverty.
Consensus on new risks, but divisions on approach
All speakers agreed on the need for stronger EU action and recognition of new risks from digitalisation and climate change. However, disagreements persisted over enforcement methods, proportional regulation, and whether to address broader social inequality. The EPP and ECR favoured stricter enforcement without overburdening businesses, while S&D and Greens/EFA pushed for ambitious EU legislation and a zero-fatality target. The Left and ESN linked safety to broader economic inequality, calling for structural measures.
Impact on stakeholders
- EU workers: Stricter enforcement and zero-fatality targets could reduce deaths and accidents, but proportional regulation may leave gaps in high-risk sectors. - EU businesses: Proportional laws (ECR position) would limit compliance costs, while ambitious EU legislation (S&D/Greens) could increase administrative burden, especially for SMEs. - National inspectorates: Stricter requirements (EPP) would demand more resources and staffing, potentially straining budgets. - EU institutions: A parliamentary observatory (The Left) would increase transparency but require additional administrative capacity.
Follow-up
No formal decisions were taken; the debate concluded with a suspension of the sitting. The Parliament is expected to produce a resolution or legislative initiative report in the coming months, potentially feeding into the European Commission's upcoming occupational safety and health strategy.