Macedonian trade union urges employers to halt outdoor work during heat wave

The Union of Syndicates of Macedonia (SSM/LSM) has called on all employers to suspend outdoor work between 11:00 and 17:00 as temperatures rise sharply through early August. Citing the Action Plan for protecting the population from heat‑wave effects, the union demands that employers follow public‑health institute recommendations, provide adequate water, shade, protective clothing, and ensure proper ventilation in indoor spaces. It stresses that risk assessments must be carried out and that vulnerable groups – pregnant workers, people over 60, and those with chronic or cardiovascular conditions – receive special protection. President Slobodan Trendafilov warned that existing regulations do not automatically limit work in extreme heat and that employers have a legal duty to adapt schedules, rotate staff, reduce physical intensity, or temporarily stop work when safe conditions cannot be guaranteed.

The union’s appeal aligns with recent public health advisories warning of high temperatures up to 7 August and urging both workers and employers to take preventive measures against heat‑related health risks.