Emergency measures announced by the Ministry of Labor to address heat stress among private sector workers came into effect today, Monday, July 7, due to extreme temperatures caused by the ongoing heatwave.
Read: Weather: First major summer heatwave underway – Temperatures to reach 42 degrees Celsius
Specifically, to address heat stress among employees in dependent employment relationships in the private sector of the economy, employers are implementing technical and organizational protection measures, according to the indicative and non-restrictive list of circular No. 34666/03.06.2024 titled “Prevention of heat stress among workers” (ADA: ΡΓ1Ν46ΝΛΔΓ-ΩΟ6).
Mandatory work suspension for outdoor activities – Penalties for non-compliance
For employees of companies located in areas where, according to forecasting data from the National Meteorological Service (EMY), particularly high temperatures and discomfort levels (WBGT) are expected – specifically in the regions of Central Macedonia, Ionian Islands, Western Greece and Thessaly, the regional units of Messenia and Samos, as well as the eastern part of Rhodes – work suspension becomes mandatory on Monday 07.07.2025, during the time period 12:00-17:00, for manual work performed outdoors, such as work on technical and construction projects, construction sites, shipbuilding and repair zones, delivery and transportation of products and objects by two-wheeled vehicles, scooters, roller skates (delivery), etc.
It is noted that the above cases of mandatory work suspension include all workers regardless of their type of employment, including digital platforms under Article 68 of Law 4808/2021.
When the work suspension measure is applied to delivery companies, this applies to all businesses conducting delivery services, whether they maintain a physical store or digital platform. However, the takeaway option can remain active, allowing users to pick up orders directly from the store/pickup point, as well as the possible execution of orders using private and public vehicles excluding all forms of two-wheelers and mopeds, as defined in the Road Traffic Code provisions, provided these vehicles have air conditioning.
The work suspension does not apply to economic activities concerning important and socially critical infrastructure in the health, transportation and public utility sectors (e.g., health units, water supply, electricity, air transport, handling, maritime, land and rail transport), provided that other technical and organizational measures from circular No. 34666/03.06.2024 “Prevention of heat stress among workers” (ADA: ΡΓ1Ν46ΝΛΔΓ-ΩΟ6) are implemented, including work time organization.
In case of non-compliance with the obligations of this regulation, the Labor Inspectorate imposes, according to Articles 23 and 24 of Law 3996/2011 (A’ 170), a monetary fine of two thousand (2,000) euros per employee of the company.
Provision of remote work through telecommuting system
For employees in dependent employment relationships in the private sector who belong to high-risk groups (Table in Appendix 2 of circular No. 34666/03.06.2024) and especially in cases of exposure to aggravating conditions in the areas of paragraph B of this circular, companies should take care to provide the possibility to work remotely when feasible based on the nature of their work.
Emergency measures for work time organization
To address heat stress among workers in the areas of paragraph B of this circular and to facilitate workers during any change in their arrival and departure times from work, employers may not register in advance in the P.S. ERGANI system every change in work time organization.
