Government Moves to Protect Workers Amid Rising Temperatures

Spain has announced plans to ban outdoor work during extreme heat conditions. Second Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Díaz revealed on Wednesday that the government aims to amend legislation related to occupational safety to prohibit outdoor labour when the national weather agency, AEMET, issues red or orange alerts for dangerously high temperatures.

These alerts are typically issued when rising temperatures pose risks to public health and the environment. Spain experienced its hottest year on record in 2022 since records began in 1961, and last month marked the hottest and driest April ever recorded in the country. Currently, many regions are facing drought, with water reserves falling below 50%.

Díaz, who also serves as the labour minister, stated that further details regarding these legislative modifications will be provided by Spain’s Cabinet. A special Cabinet meeting is scheduled for Thursday to discuss drought-related measures.

It remains unclear how the new regulations will affect specific occupations such as farmers, farmhands, police, firefighters, gardeners, and cleaners. In regions accustomed to high temperatures, like southern Andalusia, construction workers typically limit their working hours to the morning during the summer months.

The need for such measures has been highlighted by tragic incidents, including the death of a temporary street cleaner from heat stroke while working in Madrid last year.