Are in force as of today Monday extraordinary measures to deal with her thermal stress of private sector workers because of heat. Compulsory will be the pause tasks in Outdoor activities by the 12:00 to 17:00 in regions Where particularly high temperatures and levels of discomfort are expected to prevail. Also, businesses are invited to give to high -risk workers her teleworkingif this is possible.

In particular the Ministry of Labor and Social Security announced the following measures to tackle thermal stress of workers during the heat wave on Monday, July 21, 2025.

A. Measures to tackle thermal stress of private sector workers

In order to tackle the thermal stress of workers with a dependent labor relationship in the private sector of the economy, employers take technical and organizational protection measures, in accordance with the indicative rather than a restrictive list of 34666/03.06.2024 circular entitled “Prevention of Thermal Struggle” R1N46NLDG-HOO6).

B. Mandatory pause of tasks in outdoor activities

For businesses located in areas, where the latest forecasts of the National Weather Service (NMS) are expected to prevail particularly high temperatures and levels of discomfort (WBGT) and in particular in the lowlands of the Evros Regional Units (Soufli), Soufliou, Serres area (Soufli area), Serres, Serres, Serres, Serres, Serres, Serres, Serres, Serres, Serres, Serres, Serres, Serres area. Halkidiki (Polygyros area), Imathia (Veria region), in the Regional Units of Trikala, Fthiotida, Aitoloakarnania, as well as in the Ionian Islands, Eastern Rhodes and the coastal areas of the Corinthian regions of Corinth, Argolida, Argolida 21.07.2025, from 12.00΄ 17.00΄, in outdoor manual work, such as work on technical and building projects, construction sites, shipbuilding zones, distribution and transportation of products and objects with a two -wheeled vehicle, skateboard,

It is noted that in the above cases of compulsory cessation of work all employees are included, regardless of their type of employment, including the digital platforms referred to in Article 68 of Law 4808/2021.

In the case of the disposal of Delivery Distribution Businesses, this applies to all businesses that carry out delivery, whether they maintain a physical store or a digital platform, however, may maintain the choice of ordering by receiving the user directly from the shop/takeway (Takeaway) as well as the order. Public use other than any form of bicycles and mopeds, as defined in the provisions of the Road Traffic Code if they have air conditioning.

The cessation of operations does not apply to economic activities concerning significant and socially critical infrastructure in the fields of health, transport and utility (eg health units, water supply, electricity, air transport, handling, marine, land and rail transport), under the condition of its 34666/03.06.2024 circular “Prevention of thermal stress of workers” (APA: RG1N46NLDG-HOO6), including the organization of working time. In case of non -compliance with the obligations hereof, the Labor Inspectorate shall be imposed in accordance with Articles 23 and 24 of Law 3996/2011 (A ‘170), a fine of two thousand (2,000) euros per employee of the business.

C. Providing Distance Labor with the teleworking system

For employees with a subordinate employment relationship in the private sector that belong to high -risk groups (Annex Table 2 of 34666/03.06.2024 circular) and especially in the case of exposure to aggravating conditions in the areas of paragraph B of this circular, they should be taken care of by businesses in order to provide them with the work. as long as it is possible by the nature of their work.

D. Extraordinary measures to organize working time

In order to tackle the thermal stress of workers in the areas referred to in paragraph B of this circular and to facilitate employees at any change of time to leave and withdraw from work, employers may not be registered in advance. WORK EVERY CHANGE OF THE WORKING TIME.

What is thermal stress – special attention to vulnerable groups

In conditions of extreme thermal burden today the country enters today, which can lead to serious health problems in all population groups and especially to vulnerable groups.

The country will be in red according to the Heat Alarm Alarm Warning System of the Athens Observatory.

As the Christos GiannarosBiometerologist of the National Observatory of Athens reported to ERT:

“This contributes to the thermal burden of the human body, that is, the human body finds it difficult to eliminate heat and this leads to the stress of basic functions from mild symptoms to extreme effects and heat stroke.”

Thermal stress or otherwise thermal stress is the reaction of the human body to the outside temperature.

The most important symptoms are a headache, a tendency to faint, intense sweating, nausea, vomiting, fast and weak pulse.

Particularly careful should be elderly, babies and young children, pregnant and lactating women working in a warm environment, as well as people with chronic diseases.

On his side the Panagiotis HalvatsiotisAssociate Professor of Pathology of the Nursing Pathology, noted that “Hydration is a very important element to deal with the problem, our food will be rich in vegetables and fruits because they have a lot of water in, not oily foods, to avoid coffee because it does diuretic and alcohol. We wear hats, sunscreen, not to be exposed to the sunthe”.