Greece issues order restricting outdoor work amid extreme heatwave and rampant wildfires in southern Europe – JURIST

The Greek Ministry of Labor and Social Security announced Monday that they would be restricting outdoor work, ordering businesses to refrain from allowing their employees to perform heavy outdoor labor during the afternoon as the extreme heatwave plaguing southern Europe enters its second week. 

With temperatures expected to hit 42 degrees Celsius on Wednesday and Thursday in Greece and several neighboring countries, the government has implemented several emergency measures, including a ban on certain forms of outdoor work, such as manual labor, deliveries, and construction, from noon until five PM, when the heat is expected to be at its peak. Some municipalities previously reported temperatures exceeding 50 degrees Celsius in the sun. The waitstaff at beach clubs and restaurants are also prohibited from serving guests until after five PM, and the Labor Ministry is said to be conducting random checks and inspections to ensure compliance with the order, imposing fines and revoking licenses from those who are found to be in violation thereof. 

Passed in compliance with ordinance no.34666 of June 3, 2024, entitled “Prevention of thermal stress of workers,” the mandatory work stoppage will apply from Tuesday, July 16 to Friday, July 19. However, this period may be extended if necessary by the ministry, under the advisement of the Hellenic National Meteorological Service (HNMS), which is monitoring the conditions. 

Medical professionals and lawmakers are also strongly urging the closure of all archaeological museums during the specified hours to deal with the extraordinary heat stress and avoid any injury or harm to workers and tourists.

The heatwave, originating from North Africa, has triggered a wave of destruction in southern Europe. In addition to causing widespread wildfires in North Macedonia and Bulgaria, the recent extreme heat trend in the continent has also claimed the lives of several individuals in neighboring countries, including a local elderly man in Albania, and several tourists in Spain last month. Italy’s health ministry has placed 12 cities under the most severe heat warning, and Greek Civil Protection officials have reported 37 new fires in the last 24 hours, as authorities expect the “worst is yet to come.”