Mattarella: "Protecting workers and fighting exploitation is urgent."

Since 2001, August 8th has been recognized as the National Day of Sacrifice by Italian Workers Around the World. The grave events unfolding in various parts of the world, from climate change to ongoing conflicts, are driving an increase in involuntary migration flows, factors that often trigger significant demographic and social consequences for working conditions. The protection of workers and the fight against all forms of exploitation remain an urgent necessity, responding to principles of civilization and a universal duty. This was stated by the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, on the occasion of the 69th anniversary of the Marcinelle tragedy and the twenty-fourth National Day of Sacrifice by Italian Workers Around the World.

"As every year, we renew our remembrance and our deepest sympathy for the tragedy of Marcinelle, where 262 miners, 136 of them Italians, lost their lives in a fatal workplace accident. This tribute extends to all Italian workers who died far from Italy, mostly out of necessity, workers who contributed with commitment, honesty, and dedication to the prosperity of the countries that welcomed them." "Marcinelle, like every other tragic event that has marked the history of Italian emigration," the Head of State continued, "evokes the duty to promote the dignity of work in all its forms, so that what happened must never happen again. The Republic is grateful to all our compatriots who have brought the values of Italian work beyond our national borders, also helping to further the development of their own country. On this day, I renew my sentiments of sympathy and compassion to the families and loved ones of those who perished at the Bois du Cazier—and everywhere else in foreign lands."

"Italy will never forget the catastrophe of the collapse of the Bois du Cazier coal mine in Marcinelle. On August 8, 69 years ago, 262 miners lost their lives in the darkness of a mine, far from their homes and loved ones, in the line of duty. Italy paid the highest price for this European tragedy, and today we pay tribute to our 136 compatriots who—like so many others—were forced to abandon the land where they were born and raised to find better work opportunities elsewhere," Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wrote in a message. "From the memory of that disaster," she continues, "the "National Day of Sacrifice of Italian Labor in the World" was born. This anniversary was strongly desired by the late Minister Tremaglia to honor all the Italian workers who lost their lives on every continent and the contribution they made, with dedication and humility, to the development of the nations that welcomed them. Today, on this Day, I want to echo the words spoken by Mirko Tremaglia himself on August 8, 2001, during his first official visit to the mine as Minister for Italians Abroad: "Marcinelle represents the symbol of the suffering, the toil, the blood shed at work by Italians around the world and by their European brothers, and the superiority of that then-ignored humanism of labor that recognizes the dignity and equal rights and duties of those who work." These words," Meloni concludes, "resonate with all their relevance and renew the profound debt of gratitude to our fellow citizens and to the great history of Italian emigration."

"The duty of remembrance must lead to a strong commitment to combating the scourge of workplace accidents in Italy and Europe. People must always be at the center; workplace safety has been an absolute priority since I was in Brussels. And I wholeheartedly supported the proposal currently being approved to make August 8th a European Day dedicated to these issues." This was stated by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani in a message sent on the 69th anniversary of the Marcinelle tragedy. The message was read by Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs Giorgio Silli from the stage of the Bois du Cazier, where the ceremony is taking place.

A commemorative ceremony for the August 8, 1956, disaster began at the Bois du Cazier in Marcinelle, commemorating the tragedy that claimed the lives of 262 miners, including 136 Italians. This tragedy marked history as one of the world's worst mining disasters, becoming a symbol of workplace deaths and the precarious safety conditions in which many Italian emigrants were forced to work after World War II.