A 62-year-old dockworker died on Monday morning during luggage loading operations for a cruise ship at the Piraeus Port Cruise Terminal. The man, employed by a private company, collapsed on duty and was given CPR by before being transported to Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

In a statement, the PPA Union expressed deep sorrow for the loss and called on authorities to investigate the exact cause of death and assign any responsibilities.

However, the union also used the incident to highlight what it described as a worsening safety crisis in Greek workplaces. “In recent years, the number of colleagues who die on the job has increased alarmingly,” the statement read. The union attributed this trend to workplace accidents, occupational illnesses, poor working conditions, and excessive work demands.

Criticism was also leveled at the growing use of third-party subcontractors supplying unskilled labor to key infrastructure like Piraeus port, which, they argue, diffuses employer accountability. “Health and safety issues are fundamental and vital, yet we see no effective government action. On the contrary, the situation is deteriorating,” they said.