The European Parliament on 20 May 2026 debated work-related fatalities, with MEPs divided between those demanding new binding EU legislation and those favouring better enforcement of existing rules. S&D's Agnes Jongerius cited 3,500 annual worker deaths in the EU and urged a directive on psychosocial risks, while Renew's Lucia Ďuriš Nicholsonová pushed for binding reduction targets. Greens-EFA's Kim van Sparrentak criticised the Commission for slow progress, and The Left's Nikolaj Villumsen demanded stronger sanctions for employers violating safety rules.
On the other side, ECR's Anna Zalewska questioned additional regulatory burdens on SMEs, and EPP's Maria da Graça Carvalho stressed a 'zero vision' through better enforcement of existing rules. Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights Nicolas Schmit defended the current approach, promising a review of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) framework in 2027.
The debate exposed a split between those calling for new binding legislation (S&D, Greens-EFA, The Left) and those favouring better implementation and flexibility for SMEs (ECR, some EPP). Next steps: the Commission will present a report on OSH in early 2027. Affected stakeholders include workers in high-risk sectors (construction, agriculture), employers, and national labour inspectorates.