Measures to deal with thermal stress of workers of private sector The Ministry of Labor announced today (8.7.2025), after the heat wave culminates in the next few hours.
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).
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 specifically in the city of Thessaloniki in the regional units are expected to prevail. Serres, Halkidiki, Larissa, Karditsa, Trikala, Aitoloakarnania, Fthiotida, Boeotia, Achaia, Laconiaas well as his islands Ionianthe east Lesvos (Gera Bay, Mytilene City), the Eastern Rhodes and the lowlands of Evros (Soufli area), the cessation of work is mandatory on Tuesday 8.7.2025, from 12.00 to 17.00, in outdoor manual work, such as work on technical and building projects, construction sites, shipbuilders, shipbuilding, distribution and transportation and transportation of products, (delivery), 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 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.
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.
Extraordinary measures to organize working time
To address the thermal stress of workers in the areas of paragraph B of this circular and to facilitate employees when changing the time of their attendance and retirement from work, employers may not register in advance in the PS. WORK EVERY CHANGE OF THE WORKING TIME.