The LAB union has reported the death of a worker who suffered a serious injury by falling four meters high during the demolition of an asbestos structure in Erandio. The union notes that the 32-year-old worker of Reforma Mayer had no protection system at the time of the fall.

“It is particularly striking that in an asbestos removal procedure there is such an accident, when preventive measures and control by the employer should be extreme,” said LAB. It also stresses that this demonstrates that “preventive regulation is not complied with” even if it concerns hazardous processes: “Workers pay that with their lives.”

In 2023, 45 people have already died in accidents at work. It indicates that last year 11 fell and this year there are four. It denounces what is behind it: “It is unacceptable that the necessary means should not be put in place for such a frequent type of occupational accident. It is clear that the Labour Inspectorate, Osalan and the governments do not want to control these actions. Behind there is a political decision.”

Call for solution

LAB denounces that precariousness is not only a “risk factor in occupational death,” but is a “form of exploitation.” It stresses the need for “pressure and mobilization of workers” for the solution and invites them to participate in the mobilisations to be convened.