In response to the tragic explosion at the ‘Biolanda’ factory that killed five female workers, Labor and Social Insurance Minister Nikē Kerameos addressed criticism from the opposition and parts of the media regarding workplace accident statistics. She clarified that official figures—ranging between 42 and 46 fatalities annually—are recorded by the Independent Authority for Labor Inspection, in line with EU frameworks and jurisprudence. Kerameos dismissed claims of 200 annual deaths as unsubstantiated, questioning their methodology and origin. For 2026, 42 incidents have been officially recorded, with five cases under investigation. She emphasized that even one fatality constitutes a human tragedy and reaffirmed the state’s duty to continuously strengthen occupational health and safety measures—including those introduced in the government’s recent labor law bill. Regarding inspections, she noted that Labor Inspection covers over 90% of its authorized positions, with 57 staff in Thessaly and 36–37 specialized inspectors nationwide; inspection frequency has risen by 35%. On Biolanda specifically, she confirmed four routine inspections took place last year—including one prompted by a Workers’ Center complaint about heat stress—with full transparency and opportunity for stakeholder feedback.
Kerameos: Workplace Fatalities Around 45 Annually, Not 200
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