Unions demand binding heat protection for workers in the EU

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The unions are demanding special protection for sectors that are particularly at risk, including construction, agriculture and gastronomy. This also includes adjusted working hours during extreme heat. Tom Deleu of the European Federation of Building and Woodworkers said: "Wenn die Anpassung an den Klimawandel ernst genommen wird, muss sie auch den Arbeitsplatz einbeziehen."

Deleu warned that extreme weather conditions are now a reality in workplaces across Europe and represent occupational risks. "Extremwetterlagen durch Klimawandel keine Ausnahme mehr", he said. He also stated: "Der Klimawandel ist eine der entscheidenden Herausforderungen unserer Zeit, doch die Arbeitnehmer werden nach wie vor ohne klare und durchsetzbare Schutzmaßnahmen in immer extremere Wetterbedingungen geschickt."

WHO warns of deadly danger

The World Health Organization (WHO) meanwhile warned of the deadly danger of high temperatures. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Wednesday at a press conference in Geneva: "Rund eine halbe Million Menschen würden jährlich weltweit an Hitzefolgen sterben." He added: "viele dieser Todesfälle seien vermeidbar." As risk groups, he explicitly named workers and socially disadvantaged people.

A spokesperson for the EU Commission stated in Brussels that the Commission takes "die Risiken von hohen Temperaturen am Arbeitsplatz sehr ernst". The Commission is already examining how employees can best be protected from risks posed by heatwaves, climate change and the current situation in many parts of Europe. According to its own statements, the EU Commission intends to include heat protection in a regulation.

Demands in detail

Several union federations are calling for new EU rules on the rights of employees in heat. The demands include concrete measures such as binding break regulations, the provision of shaded areas and drinking water, as well as the adjustment of working hours during heatwaves.

The debate comes at a time of persistently high temperatures across large parts of Europe. Unions and the WHO emphasise that a significant proportion of heat-related deaths could be avoided through better protective measures.

EU Commission examines regulation

The EU Commission signalled its willingness to address the issue through regulation, without so far naming a concrete timeline for a regulation. Observers see the statement as an indication that workplace heat protection is gaining importance at EU level.