Circular with extraordinary measures to tackle thermal stress of private sector workers on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, issued by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security

Specifically, the Ministry circular states the following:

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, according to the latest forecasts of the National Meteorological Service (NMS), particularly high temperatures and levels of discomfort (WBGT) and in the regions of Attica (outside the islands), Thessaly and Central Macedonia, Thessaly and Central Macedonia, Thessaly and Central Macedonia, Aitoloakarnania, Euboea (Chalkida area), Chania and Rethymnon as well as in the Ionian Islands, Kythera, Lesvos, Chios, Rhodes and the Peloponnese Peloponnese, the cessation of work is mandatory on Tuesday 22.07.2025, at 12.0025. In technical and building projects, construction sites, shipbuilding zones, distribution and transportation of products and objects with a two -wheeled vehicle, skateboard, traders, etc.

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 34666/03.06.2024 circular “Prevention of thermal stress of workers” (APA: RG1N46NLDG-HOO6), including the organization of working time.

In the event 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 EUR 2,000 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 address the thermal stress of employees in the areas of paragraph B of this circular and to facilitate employees at any time change time of their attendance and retirement from work, employers may not register in advance in ERGANI any change in the working time.