Marcinelle, 68th anniversary of the tragedy. Mattarella: respect for workers' dignity, objective not yet achieved
On that day in 1956, in the Bois du Cazier coal mine, 262 miners from 12 different countries lost their lives, including 136 Italians.
Marcinelle, 68th anniversary of the tragedy. Mattarella: respect for workers' dignity, objective not yet achieved.
“Since its first article, the Constitution of the Republic establishes an inseparable ideal bond between democracy and work. Full respect for the dignity of workers is a fundamental principle, also affirmed at an international level; an objective which, however, has not yet been fully achieved". The President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella said this in his message in memory of the victims of 8 August 1956 in the Bois du Cazier coal mine in Marcinelle, Belgium.
The Head of State, on the occasion of the 68th anniversary of the tragedy and the 23rd National Day of the Sacrifice of Italian Work in the World: “For twenty-three years the date of the Marcinelle mining disaster of 1956 has given rise to the National Day of the Sacrifice of Italian Labor in the World. The scale of the tragedy that shocked 262 families - of which 136 were Italian - sixty-eight years ago has given it a very strong symbolic charge. What happened at the Bois du Cazier is therefore a reminder of the sacrifice of all Italian workers who died abroad while carrying out their professional activities and of those who contributed their industriousness to even distant countries. From its first article, the Constitution of the Republic establishes an inseparable ideal bond between democracy and work. Full respect for the dignity of workers is a fundamental principle, also affirmed at an international level; an objective which, however, has not yet been fully achieved".
“Carry out your work safely – continues Mattarella – is the first elementary condition. Marcinelle and the other tragedies that have involved Italian migrants on the five continents still constitute an unavoidable warning to promote the dignity of work, an indispensable value of the identity of our community. To those who have lost family members, friends and colleagues, victims of work, at the Bois du Cazier and in other parts of the world, I renew the expression of the feelings of closeness and solidarity of the Republic".
“Full respect for the dignity of workers is a fundamental principle, also affirmed at an international level; an objective which, however, has not yet been fully achieved" concludes the President of the Republic.
The Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni: “The tragedy that occurred on 8 August 1956 in the Bois du Cazier mine in Marcinelle in Belgium has left an indelible mark on national and European history. Italy paid the heaviest price: 136 out of 262 miners were our compatriots. Italians who had decided, with suffering and pain, to abandon their land to support, with dignity and a spirit of service, the nation that had welcomed them. Without pretensions, but with humility and dedication. The darkness of a mine thousands of kilometers away from their places of origin has engulfed their lives, but the memory of these sons of Italy still lives on in the gratitude of the national community. Today, in fact, Italy celebrates the 'Day of the Sacrifice of Italian Work in the World': an anniversary established in 2001 by the unforgettable Minister Mirko Tremaglia to remember the Italian workers who have fallen on every continent and pay homage to their contribution to the development of the Nations that have chosen as 'second homeland'.”
“Marcinelle is one of the most dramatic pages in the great history of Italian emigration. A story of defeats, sacrifices, deprivations but also of brilliant successes, battles won and extraordinary results. On this day – concludes Meloni – We also honor this great history and renew the bond with our compatriots abroad, men and women who love Italy and who contribute to making our homeland loved and appreciated in the world".
Vice President Tajani pays tribute to the memory of the victims of the compatriots who lost their lives on 8 August 68 years ago in Marcinelle, Belgium: “The anniversary of this tragedy always keeps alive and relevant the memory of the extraordinary contribution made by our communities to the well-being of the host countries and their effort to integrate through work” commented Vice President Tajani. “I support the proposal of the President of CNEL Renato Brunetta to combine the 'National Day of the Sacrifice of Italian Work in the World', which the Government established in 2001, with a European Day which in memory of Marcinelle promotes the crucial issues of work and safety. I will work together with the Italian delegation to the European Parliament to gather the widest consensus around this idea."
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