Italy sees surge in work‑related health claims

Recent data from Italy’s National Institute for Insurance against Accidents (INAIL) show a sharp rise in occupational disease reports. In the hospitality‑restaurant‑café sector, more than 14,000 additional cases were recorded in the last year, highlighting risks such as musculoskeletal disorders, chemical exposure, and psychosocial stress among chefs, bartenders, waitstaff and cleaners.

At the same time, complaints of work‑related mental health problems have jumped 17.9% in the first quarter of 2025, with over 22,000 cases filed. Experts note that excessive weekly hours—especially beyond 55 hours—are linked to cardiovascular events and the phenomenon of “death from overwork,” a condition already recognized in East Asia. The trend points to a growing burden of burnout and related illnesses among Italian workers, prompting calls for stronger workplace safety measures and preventive strategies at both company and individual levels.