ROMA (ITALPRESS) – “In the memory of the tragic events of Marcinelle, Italy joins in remembering our fellow citizens who, together with their colleagues from other eleven different nationalities, lost their lives in the bowels of the Bois du Cazier. On this day, dedicated by the Republic to the sacrifice of Italian work in the world, we honor the emigrants who, with their work, contributed to the progress of the country and to the growth of the communities in which they were welcomed and operated”. Thus begins the message of the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella, on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the tragedy of Marcinelle and the 25th National Day of the sacrifice of Italian labor in the world.
“The victims of Marcinelle are part of the collective identity of our country. They have gained deep symbolic value throughout Europe, connoting the process of Community integration. The Commission, at the initiative of the European Parliament and of the Member States, decided, in fact, to propose on 8 August as a European Day in memory of the victims of accidents at work,” he continued.
“The right to work, the need to protect it everywhere and for anyone – the cornerstone of our Constitution – today expresses a founding principle that unites the entire European home, in which protection of workers and contrast of all forms of exploitation have become shared heritage. Commemorating Marcinelle and making a tribute to those who perished – as in other luxuriant episodes in the history of Italian emigration – we are invited to reflect on the human price that was paid and to act, so that such disasters may not be repeated and the management of migration flows obeys criteria of respect for the dignity of people. To the families of the two hundred and sixty-two victims, of which one hundred and thirty-six Italians, who died at the Bois du Cazier on August 8, 1956, to those of all the dead on work in every other circumstance and place of the world, I renew the feelings of mourning and participation of the Republic” concluded Mattarella.
MELONI “ONORIAMO I NOSTRI EMIGRATI, IL LAVORO SIA SICUREZZA”
“Today Italy remembers the 262 victims of the tragedy of Marcinelle. 136 Italians emigrated to Belgium looking for a better future and unfortunately found death in the dark of a mine. Marcinelle is a story that belongs to our collective memory. But it is also the symbol of the extraordinary contribution that tens of millions of Italians have given to the well-being of entire Nations and continents, always maintaining a deep bond with the motherland.” President Giorgia Meloni said so.
“Every August 8 we honor all this and pay tribute to the great history of Italian emigration: a story made of work, sacrifice, respect for the rules, integration and dignity. And it does so thanks to the far-sightedness of a patriot like Mirko Tremaglia, who as Minister for Italians in the world proposed and established 25 years ago the ‘National Day of the sacrifice of Italian work of the monde. We are proud that the European institutions have decided to set up on August 8 as “European Day in memory of victims of accidents at work and for the protection of the dignity of workers”. “An Italian initiative, which the European Parliament has approved by a large majority and that the Government has done its own and supported with conviction, to reaffirm that work must always be synonymous with dignity, rights and security and that in Europe there can be no room for those who exploit people and trample the rights of workers. Remembering Marcinelle means honoring those who have built, with their own sacrifice, a fundamental part of the history of Italy, Europe and the world. And it means renewing our commitment to defend those values of work, freedom and dignity that continue to lead our action,” concludes Meloni.
– Photos: Ipa Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
