The rebound of economic activity in Alicante province is evident after two years marked by covid-related restrictions. Yet this positive trend came with a darker note in the world of work, as the fatal accident rate surged. Fatal incidents more than tripled in the first half of the year, rising to 18 deaths from six in the same period previously. The CC OO union voiced strong outrage and called for a bold plan from the Labour Inspectorate to push companies to enforce proper protection for workers.
Data released by the Ministry of Labour show a roughly 6% rise in workplace accidents in Alicante overall. The first half of the year recorded 7,851 incidents, up from 7,246 in the same period a year earlier. Of these, 7,545 were minor injuries and 61 were serious, with 15 fatalities noted. When accidents on the way to and from the workplace are included, counts rose by 27% from 974 to 1,237. Among these, 1,216 were minor, 18 were serious, and three were fatal. The combined total for both categories yields 18 deaths, triple the figure from the first half of 2021.
The construction sector accounted for the highest number of work accidents, with 1,326 cases. It was followed by manufacturing, which registered 1,277 incidents, and service-related activities such as motor vehicle trade and repair, and hotel management, each recording 1,103 cases. Administrative activities and auxiliary services tallied 618 incidents, while health and social services recorded 585. Among industries, construction, manufacturing, and the service sectors dominated the statistics for accidents.
The incidence rate, defined as the number of accidents per 100,000 insured workers in Alicante, stood at 188.8. This figure sits below the Valencian Community average of 219.5 and Spain’s national rate of 236.5, suggesting a provincial production pattern that shapes risk differently. In contrast, fatal accidents show a higher provincial incidence of 0.370 compared with 0.296 for the Community and 0.277 for the country, signaling a grave and persistent risk in the province.
Mila Cano, a technician from the CC OO Occupational Health office, argued that the causes of the uptick in accidents remain clear. A lack of targeted preventive measures, insufficient preventive management within organizational structures, and relatively low investments by firms in improving working conditions and the overall production model are key factors. Cano also called on the Administration to strengthen its technical institutes and the Labor Inspectorate in their oversight.
Occupational accidents increased by 8.3 percent in the province
Against this backdrop, union voices emphasize continued enforcement of legal obligations across workplaces and corporate forums, with inspectors actively ensuring compliance. They stress that nearly three decades after the Occupational Risk Prevention Law was enacted, it is essential to transform the organizational culture of the regional business landscape. They point out the unacceptable reality of health risks being outsourced through contracting and external prevention services that simply issue documents rather than address root causes.
The CC OO technician reaffirmed the need for meaningful participation by workers and prevention delegates to improve conditions within firms. In this spirit, the union urged ongoing social dialogue on occupational health as part of the new Valencia strategy for safety, health, and well-being. The emphasis is on agreeing concrete actions and ensuring adequate budget allocations to implement them effectively.
Informal economy as an additional risk factor
CC OO also warned that the uncontrolled informal economy adds risk to workplaces and can mask or cause accidents that otherwise might be avoided. Pepo Ruiz, the union’s communications secretary for L’Alacantí-Les Marines, noted that some accidents in this area are reported as domestic incidents or involve workers who are hospitalized but whose specifics are not disclosed. Ruiz suggested practical solutions centered on consensus in company participation bodies to enable swift decisions on adapting to temperature changes, updating uniforms, or preparing certain protocols.