Overview

• After a favorable opinion from the European Parliament’s Employment and Social Affairs Committee on July 16, the proposal to mark August 8 as a European Day commemorating victims of work has entered its final adoption stage.
• President Sergio Mattarella highlighted the urgent need to protect workers and combat exploitation during Italy’s National Day of Sacrifice of Italian Labour observance.
• Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni renewed Italy’s profound gratitude to the 136 Italian miners killed in the 1956 Bois du Cazier disaster at Marcinelle.
• Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani reiterated Italy’s longstanding support for a Europe-wide remembrance day and underscored that workplace safety must remain a priority.
• Once adopted, the European Day of Remembrance on August 8 will enshrine Marcinelle as a symbol of worker dignity and post-war European solidarity.