The city of Cosenza also celebrated today the 76th National Day for Victims of Accidents at Work, promoted by ANMIL (National Association of Mutilated and Work-Invalid Workers). A day that simultaneously involved the ANMIL offices throughout Italy, united in the memory of the people who lost their lives at work, those who suffered an accident or professional illness and their families. This year the national event was held in Longarone, a few days after the 63rd anniversary of the Vajont tragedy, in a place that profoundly represents the value of memory and responsibility.
And the ANMIL of Cosenza also decided to keep attention on the issue of health and safety in the workplace with a double ceremony, held this morning: the first at the Monument to the Fallen at Work in Piazza Zumbini where a laurel wreath was laid, in the presence of the Mayor Franz Caruso, the Regional President of ANMIL Luigi Cuomo and the territorial President of the ANMIL section of Cosenza, Antonio Domma. The second act of the day took place in the reception hall of Palazzo dei Bruzi, again with the territorial and regional leaders of ANMIL and the intervention of Mayor Franz Caruso. “When we were in Piazza Zumbini for the laying of the laurel wreath – began the mayor – I saw when the monument to those killed at work was inaugurated. It was 1974, that is to say 52 years ago, and I asked myself what had changed. The legislation has certainly changed, today much more stringent, much more attentive, with constraints much more in line with the need to give safety to the worker. But if you read the news – remarked Franz Caruso – we find ourselves faced with a real war bulletin because every day, unfortunately, the number of victims at work increases daily and constantly. The mayor of Cosenza has no doubts: “We must intervene and demand that the rules are applied and observed in the workplace. A task – this – which falls to entrepreneurs, but which also involves the responsibility and sensitivity of the worker, because often the tools are made available, but then – no one knows for what reason – they are not used”. For Franz Caruso, prevention becomes important, but also awareness. “It is necessary that in addition to the formulation of rules, laws and regulations, there is also awareness of the worker, even before that of the employer. Working safely – warned the mayor – is a right and the worker must also take responsibility for it, demanding respect for safety in the workplace. The employer cannot avoid compliance with the laws and regulations on safety. This must be accompanied by more stringent controls on companies and workplaces. We as the municipal administration have given the good example, completely emptying an entire building, Palazzo Ferrari, because it did not have the safety requirements required by the regulations. And we concentrated our staff in Palazzo dei Bruzi and in the Due Fiumi Complex”.