Italy imposes paid work breaks and reduced hours amid extreme heatwave

The Italian government declared a red heat alert for 15 cities, including Rome, Milan and Florence, as temperatures surged across the country. Under emergency rules, outdoor work in sectors such as construction, agriculture, horticulture and quarrying must be halted or reduced between 12:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. in the most affected regions, notably Veneto. Workers affected by the stoppage will continue to receive their basic wage.

A special government commissioner was appointed to secure energy supplies for strategic activities amid the heightened consumption. The measures exempt public‑service tasks, civil‑protection duties and rescue operations. Agricultural lobby Coldiretti noted that nearly half a million laborers are involved in the current vegetable and fruit harvest, highlighting the scale of the intervention. The red alert was extended to the following day.

These steps aim to protect public health and maintain essential services while mitigating the economic impact of the prolonged heatwave.