The Ministry of Labor has issued a circular regarding emergency measures in anticipation of the severe heatwave expected to begin on Tuesday, July 22.
Regarding measures to combat heat stress among private sector employees, it was emphasized that:
To address heat stress among employees with dependent employment relationships in the private sector, employers must implement technical and organizational protective measures according to the indicative, non-restrictive list in circular no. 34666/03.06.2024 titled “Prevention of Worker Heat Stress.”
Mandatory work suspension for outdoor activities
According to the circular, “for employees of companies located in areas where, according to the latest forecasting data from the National Meteorological Service (EMY), particularly high temperatures and discomfort levels (WBGT) are expected – specifically in the regions of Attica (excluding islands), Thessaly and Central Macedonia, the regional units of Evros (Orestiada area), Boeotia, Phthiotis, Aetolia-Acarnania, Euboea (Chalcis area), Chania and Rethymno, as well as the Ionian islands, Kythera, Lesvos, Chios, Rhodes and the lowland areas of the Peloponnese, work suspension becomes mandatory on Tuesday 22.07.2025, during the period 12:00-17:00, for manual work performed outdoors, such as construction and building work, shipyard and repair zones, delivery and transport of products and items 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 delivery work suspension measure is implemented, it applies to all businesses conducting deliveries, whether they maintain a physical store or digital platform. However, the option of order-taking with customer pickup directly from the store/pickup point (takeaway) may remain active, as well as the possible option of order fulfillment using private and public vehicles excluding all forms of two-wheelers and mopeds, as defined in the Highway Code provisions, provided these vehicles have air conditioning.
Work suspension does not apply to economic activities involving important and socially critical infrastructure in health, transport and public utility sectors (e.g., health units, water supply, electricity, air transport, handling, maritime, land and rail transport), provided other technical and organizational measures from circular no. 34666/03.06.2024 “Prevention of Worker Heat Stress” are implemented, including work time organization. Failure to comply with these obligations results in a monetary fine of two thousand (2,000) euros per company employee, imposed by the Labor Inspectorate according to Articles 23 and 24 of Law 3996/2011.
Provision of remote work through teleworking
The same circular also emphasizes: “For employees with 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 mentioned in paragraph B of this circular, companies should ensure the possibility of remote work when feasible based on the nature of their work.”
Emergency measures for work time organization
To address heat stress among workers in the aforementioned areas and facilitate employees during potential changes in their arrival and departure times from work, employers may not register every change in work time organization in advance in the ERGANI system, according to the circular.
