The Ministry of Labor and Social Security is taking emergency measures to deal with the heat stress of private sector workers due to the heat that is expected to prevail from Tuesday, July 16 to Friday, July 19.

In particular, taking into account the relevant circular of June 3, 2024 (prot. no. 34666): “Prevention of thermal stress of workers” of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, with the new circular that was published, the following are foreseen:

Mandatory work stoppage

  1. Tuesday 16/07/2024: For the employees of businesses located mainly in Macedonia, Thrace, Epirus, western and eastern Central Greece, Thessaly and western and eastern Peloponnese, in which according to the Emergency Deterioration of Weather Bulletin (EDEK) from 15.07.2024 it is expected to if particularly high temperatures prevail, it becomes mandatory to stop work during the time period 12.00-17.00, on Tuesday 16.7.2024 for manual work performed outdoors. Indicatively, works on technical and building projects, construction sites, distribution and transport of products and objects by two-wheeled vehicle (delivery), etc., when the temperature is equal to or higher than 40° C. At the same time, from Wednesday 16.7.2024
  2. Wednesday 17/07/2024 until Friday 19/07/2024.For all employees in businesses, for manual work, performed outdoors, when the temperature is equal to or higher than 40° C, it becomes mandatory to stop their work during the time period 12:00-17:00. Examples include work on technical and building projects, construction sites, distribution and transport of products and objects by two-wheeled roller skates, roller skates, etc. (delivery), etc.
  3. It is pointed out that especially for work in a shipbuilding repair zone, the obligation of the above provisions applies to a temperature that is set at a value above 38°C.
  4. As long as the measure of the suspension of distribution operations is applied, the option of ordering by receiving the user directly from the store (takeaway) can be kept active as well as the eventual possibility to carry out distribution with vehicles for private use other than the two-wheelers and other means of the previous paragraph, such as these are defined in article 2 of Law 2696/1999, under more specific terms or conditions (provided they have air conditioning).
  5. The suspension of operations does not apply to economic activities concerning important and socially critical infrastructures in the health, transport and public utility sectors (health facilities, water supply, electricity, air transport, handling, sea, land and rail transport), provided the taking of the other technical and organizational measures of circular No. 34666/03.06.2024 “Prevention of thermal stress of employees”, including the organization of working time.
  6. In case of non-observance of the mandatory stoppage measure, a monetary fine of 2,000 euros per employee of the company is imposed by the Labor Inspectorate.

Providing remote work with the telework system

For employees with a dependent work relationship in the private sector of the economy who belong to high-risk groups, especially in cases of exposure to aggravating conditions in the areas which, according to the Emergency Deterioration of Weather Bulletin from 15.07.2024 (EDEK), are expected to prevail particularly high temperature areas is given the possibility to work remotely with the telecommuting system if it is possible due to the nature of their work.

Extraordinary measures for the organization of working time

For the convenience of employees during any change in their time of arrival and departure from work, employers may not register in advance in the P.S. ERGANI any change in the organization of working time.

See the circular here