European unions demand heat‑risk worker protection legislation

European trade‑union federations representing 15 million workers are urging the EU to adopt binding rules that would halt work when temperature‑related risk exceeds set thresholds. The proposal calls for limits based on wet‑bulb globe temperature (WBGT) of 30‑32.5 °C, mandatory risk assessments, guaranteed water and shade, and penalties for non‑compliant employers. The drive faces opposition from right‑leaning member states that prefer non‑binding recommendations.

In Spain, a 2023 amendment to the labour code now allows work hours to be reduced or suspended during extreme heat, triggered by orange or red weather alerts, without loss of pay. Employers must evaluate risks and adapt schedules accordingly. Portugal, by contrast, has no statutory temperature ceiling; heat‑related hazards are addressed under existing occupational health and safety rules, placing the burden on employers to provide protection. Injuries caused by heat are treated as work‑related accidents, but there is no automatic work‑time reduction.

Both articles highlight a broader European debate over how to safeguard workers as climate‑driven heatwaves become more frequent and severe.