ATHENS – "Our thought is with frontline workers, who face extremely difficult and dangerous working conditions in the current crisis," President of the Hellenic Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou said in her message for the World Day for Health and Safety at Work.

Sakellaropoulou noted that this year focuses, internationally, on preventing and addressing the further spread of the coronavirus in the workplace, with the aim of protecting the lives of workers and ensuring the continuity of operations.

At the same time, she made a special reference to women, emphasising that the fight against pandemic is largely based on them, as they represent more than 70 pct of health-sector workers.

She pointed out that the World Day for Health and Safety at Work draws our attention to another gaping wound for humanity and emphasised that about 2.8 million people die each year in the world from accidents at work and work-related illnesses.

Finally, she argued that the consolidation of a culture of prevention, individual responsibility and the cooperation of social partners, as well as the constant vigilance of the competent state bodies, are factors that will contribute to maintaining the safety and health of workers and protecting the most vulnerable and concluded by emphasising:

"Together we will face the challenges that lie ahead."