International Labor Conditions in Scorching Climates: A Comparative Analysis

Heatwaves Pose Challenges Across Southern Europe

Heatwaves are a common occurrence in the summer months across Southern Europe, with temperatures often exceeding 40°C, causing significant health and safety concerns, particularly for outdoor workers and vulnerable populations.

In Spain, labor unions are pushing for tougher regulations to protect outdoor workers from the extreme heat. This includes adjusting working hours, providing mandatory rest breaks in shaded or cooled areas, access to water and hydration, and heat health and safety education.

Italy, known for its siesta tradition, faces similar challenges. Despite larger cities having a continuous workday, the midday heat remains a health risk. For instance, a 47-year-old man recently collapsed while concreting outdoors during the first heatwave of the summer.

In Greece, non-compliance with heat protection measures can result in fines of up to €2,000 per affected employee. The Acropolis closes during midday hours when temperatures exceed 40°C, and private businesses are required to facilitate home office work or provide air conditioning in offices. The Greek Ministry of Labor also prohibits outdoor work between 12:00 and 17:00 in affected regions during heatwaves.

Croatia, however, lacks laws regarding heat protection, with everything left to the discretion of employers. This has been criticised by trade unions.

In Romania, employers must adjust work schedules during extreme heat, provide a midday break, drinking water, shaded retreat areas, and ventilation. Work must stop between 11:00 and 17:00 if these conditions are not met, and employees can refuse to work if it's too hot.

France has tightened regulations for public employers regarding heat and sun protection during heatwaves. Employers in France are also required to provide at least three liters of water per employee if there's no running water on-site during heatwaves.

Hungary has detailed regulations for heat protection at work, with provisions for fluid intake and breaks during heavy outdoor work above 27 degrees.

Several regions in Italy have independently adopted anti-heat ordinances using the Worklimate 2.0 website, which determines the daily work risk based on temperature, humidity, and physical exertion.

In Diyarbakir, Turkey, temperatures are expected to rise above 40 degrees Celsius in the coming days. While offices, hospitals, subway trains, and buses are typically air-conditioned, there are no government-driven measures to cool the city, such as greening.

Many of these countries face concurrent wildfire risks that exacerbate heatwave impacts. Authorities issue combined heat and fire risk alerts, recommending residents minimize exposure to smoke and heat.

Countries such as France, Croatia, Hungary, and Spain are contending with heatwave-induced stress on energy grids because of increased cooling demand. Energy think tanks call for system flexibility and transitions to renewable energy to avoid blackouts critical for public health protection during heat waves.

Greek cities offer public air-conditioned buildings for people without home air conditioning during heatwaves. Spain has strengthened legal protections for workers in response to heatwaves, including solar sails, water stations, and cooling rooms.

Overall, Spain and Italy have already taken steps at union and institutional levels to improve outdoor worker safety in the heat, while other countries are monitoring and issuing warnings through their civil protection systems. This represents an expanding trend across southern Europe to implement heatwave adaptation and protection measures, though specifics vary by country and are often still under development or pushed by stakeholders rather than fully codified.

For more precise, up-to-date policy details per country, querying official government or labor union websites and civil protection agencies for each nation individually would be recommended.