27-year-old engineer dies at Elliniko construction site as union raises safety concerns
A 27-year-old engineer has died after suffering cardiac arrest at a construction site operated by Orilina in Elliniko, near Athens, prompting a workers’ union to raise concerns about working conditions, emergency response times and workplace health and safety measures.
According to a statement from the construction workers’ union, the incident occurred on the afternoon of October 20 at the Orilina project, which is being built by construction company EKTER. The union said a defibrillator and a nurse arrived from the nearby Riviera Tower site more than 10 minutes after the incident.
Following the union’s intervention, the incident was officially reported and work at the site was suspended. The Labour Inspectorate also visited the site after being notified by the police, according to the statement.
UNION CALLS FOR INVESTIGATION AND STRONGER SAFETY MEASURES
The union expressed its condolences to the engineer’s family and colleagues, while calling for an immediate investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death and accountability for those found responsible.
It argued that the incident highlights concerns over work intensification and extended working hours at the Elliniko development and other construction projects. The union alleged that employees are routinely subjected to six-day working weeks and shifts lasting 12 or 13 hours to meet project deadlines.
The union also raised concerns about the availability of emergency equipment, first-aid training and occupational health services at construction sites. It called for defibrillators and occupational doctors to be available at workplaces, alongside more effective enforcement of health and safety regulations.
The allegations regarding working conditions and safety practices were made by the union and have not been independently established in the information provided.
UNION DEMANDS FIVE-DAY, 35-HOUR WORKING WEEK
The union called for a comprehensive investigation into the fatal incident, stronger workplace inspections and the implementation of effective measures to prevent occupational accidents and diseases.
Its demands include a seven-hour working day, a five-day working week and a total of 35 working hours per week. It also called for a collective agreement covering all workers on the Elliniko project, regardless of their employment or payment arrangements, as well as broader sectoral agreements and improved protections for construction workers.
The union announced a strike for November 25, urging workers to participate in demonstrations and calling for changes to working conditions across the construction sector.
The death has renewed attention to workplace safety at the large-scale Elliniko development, although the precise circumstances surrounding the engineer’s death and any potential breaches of safety requirements remain matters for investigation.
