In a statement, Mera25 United Left described the deaths as the consequence of policies that have dismantled labour rights and workplace safety mechanisms, arguing that government tolerance of employer abuses is costing workers their lives.

‘Another workplace accident has occurred, this time following the explosion at Motor Oil’s facilities in Agioi Theodoroi.

‘From Violanta to Motor Oil, workers are paying with their lives for the criminal erosion of labour rights and workplace safety.

‘Workplace accidents are not simply “bad moments”, nor are they just another tragedy. The deaths and injuries of workers on the job are the result of policies that dismantle labour legislation and mechanisms for workers’ safety and protection. They are the result of policies that have cultivated and reinforced unchecked employer abuses, policies that continually reduce labour costs and safety measures.

‘The 70% increase in workplace accidents over the past four years is indicative of employers’ disregard for workers’ lives. Meanwhile, the government speaks in the European Parliament of workers blackmailing employers, while weakening the Labour Inspectorate.

‘As Mera25 United Left, we believe that these accidents are, in essence, acts of murder, insofar as they result from employers’ deliberate failure to implement protective measures, with the government’s tolerance, if not encouragement.’

SYRIZA MEP demands stronger inspections and accountability

Kostas Arvanitis, a SYRIZA MEP and vice-president of The Left group in the European Parliament, has also held the government responsible for the continuing workplace deaths, describing the incidents at Motor Oil and Serres as another ‘black day’ for workers in Greece.

Arvanitis questioned the effectiveness of workplace inspections, accident prevention mechanisms and enforcement of occupational safety regulations, arguing that the latest deaths follow a series of similar incidents, including those at Violanta and in Aspropyrgos.

He placed particular emphasis on the conditions faced by subcontracted workers, referring to the Motor Oil accident as an example of what he described as a ‘new slave trade’. He denounced the lack of adequate inspections and collective labour agreements, arguing that subcontracting arrangements expose workers to dangerous conditions without sufficient protection.

Citing data from the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, Arvanitis said Greece performs particularly poorly on occupational health and safety. He pointed to declining inspections, limited worker representation and growing job insecurity as factors contributing to the situation.

The MEP also raised concerns about the possible underreporting of workplace accidents and incidents, referring to a study he presented last year. He questioned the accuracy of the picture presented of the Greek labour market and argued that protecting workers’ lives cannot be reduced to investigations conducted after fatal accidents.

Arvanitis called for the Labour Inspectorate to be substantially strengthened and brought back under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Labour, arguing that its current operation as an independent authority does not provide effective oversight. He also cited calls from relevant organisations and independent experts for stronger inspection mechanisms.

He demanded full transparency and a clear allocation of responsibility throughout subcontracting arrangements, warning that outsourcing work must not create gaps in accountability for workers’ health and safety.

He also called for effective coordination of preventive measures between principal companies and contractors, with workers and their representatives properly informed and involved in safety procedures.

Arvanitis stressed that violations of labour legislation and workplace safety regulations must carry genuinely deterrent penalties.

He concluded by emphasising that life, health and safety at work are fundamental rights, holding the government responsible for the continuing workplace accidents and insisting that effective prevention and protection measures are needed, rather than investigations and findings after each tragedy.

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