Slovenian unions demand binding heat‑wave work protocol

The Confederation of Trade Unions of Slovenia says many employers are reacting too late to the country's third heat wave of the year, often only providing bottled water while keeping work schedules and safety norms unchanged. Unions warn that heat waves have become a regular hazard and that failure to adapt work conditions endangers workers, especially in physically demanding sectors such as construction, agriculture, manufacturing and hospitality, and that many foreign workers are particularly vulnerable.

They are calling on the government and the relevant ministry to adopt a clear, binding state protocol for work in high temperatures, linked to the yellow, orange and red alerts issued by the Agency of the Republic of Slovenia for Environment (ARSO). The protocol would require, for temperatures above 30 °C, mandatory breaks of at least 15 minutes every three hours, provision of free non‑alcoholic drinks, and the possibility to shorten or suspend work when safe conditions cannot be ensured.