The implementation of emergency measures to address thermal stress for private sector workers continues on Friday, as heatwave conditions persist. According to the new circular from the Ministry of Labor and Social Insurance, emergency measures are established for private sector workers.
Read: Emergency measures to protect workers from the heatwave on Thursday
Work suspension becomes mandatory on Friday, from 12:00 to 17:00, for manual labor performed outdoors, such as work on technical and construction projects, construction sites, shipbuilding and repair zones, delivery and transport of products and items by two-wheeled vehicles, scooters, roller skates (delivery), etc. In the case where the work suspension measure is applied to delivery services, this applies to all businesses conducting delivery, whether they maintain a physical store or digital platform. In case of non-compliance with obligations by employers, the Labor Inspectorate imposes a monetary fine of 2,000 euros per employee of the business.
Ministry of Labor: emergency measures for the heatwave
A. Measures to address thermal stress of private sector workers
To address thermal stress of employees with dependent employment relationships in the private sector of the economy, employers take technical and organizational protection measures, according to the indicative and non-restrictive list of circular No. 34666/03.06.2024 titled “Prevention of thermal stress of workers” (ADA: RG1N46NLDG-OO6).
B. Mandatory work suspension in outdoor activities
For employees of businesses located in areas where, according to the latest forecast data from the National Meteorological Service (EMY), particularly high temperatures and discomfort levels (WBGT) are expected to prevail in all areas of the country, except the mountainous areas of mainland Greece and the mountainous areas of Crete, work suspension becomes mandatory on Friday 25.07.2025, 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 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.
In the case where the delivery work suspension measure is applied to delivery businesses, this concerns all businesses conducting delivery, 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 ability to execute orders with private and public use vehicles excluding all forms of two-wheelers and mopeds, as defined in the provisions of the Road Traffic Code, provided they have air conditioning.
Work suspension does not apply to economic activities concerning important and socially critical infrastructures in the sectors of health, transport and public utilities (e.g. health units, water supply, electricity, air transport, handling, maritime, land and rail transport), provided that other technical and organizational measures of circular No. 34666/03.06.2024 “Prevention of thermal stress of workers” (ADA: RG1N46NLDG-OO6) are taken, including work time organization.
In case of non-compliance with the obligations of this circular, 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 business.
C. Provision of remote work through the telework system
For employees with dependent employment relationships in the private sector who belong to high-risk groups (table of Appendix 2 of circular No. 34666/03.06.2024) and especially in cases of their exposure to aggravating conditions in the areas of paragraph B of this circular, businesses should take care to provide the possibility to work remotely if feasible according to the nature of their work.
D. Emergency measures for work time organization
To address thermal stress of workers in the areas of paragraph B of this circular and to facilitate workers during any change in their arrival and departure time from work, employers may not register in advance in the ERGANI I.S. every change in work time organization.
