Background information

On 10 July 2023, Greece's National Meteorological Service (EMY) issued an Emergency Bulletin warning about an extended heatwave named "CLEON" that was expected to affect the entire country. This heatwave was projected to last at least six days, with the most intense temperatures forecasted for 14 and 15 July 2023, when they could reach 42°-43°C. The interior regions of Sterea, Thessaly, and Attica were expected to experience even higher temperatures. EMY also updated the Emergency Bulletin to include the period of 25-27 July 2023, highlighting the continued risk of extreme heat.

This bulletin serves as a warning to residents and authorities to take necessary precautions to ensure the safety and well-being of the population during the heatwave.

On 12 July 2023, the Ministry of Labor, through Ministerial Decision No. 65581, outlined all the emergency measures to address the thermal stress of private sector employees during the "Kleonos" heatwave.

Content of measure

The Ministerial Decision No. 65581/12-7-2023 of the Ministry of Labor includes measures to address thermal stress among private sector employees during the "Kleon" heatwave. These measures include:

Organizational measures to prevent thermal stress

• Scheduling suitable breaks in air-conditioned spaces.
• Reducing work or ceasing operations in thermally stressful areas (such as power plants, foundries, glassworks, ceramics, shipbuilding) between 12:00-17:00.
• Providing cool drinking water.

Specifically for outdoor work

• Using appropriate clothing.
• Creating shaded areas for breaks and constructing shelters for work, where possible.
• Performing the most physically demanding tasks during cooler hours.
• Reducing work or ceasing operations between 12:00-17:00.
• Suspending delivery work, including digital platforms, between 12:00-17:00 in areas with temperatures exceeding 40°C.
• Offering remote work through telecommuting for high-risk groups, where feasible.

Additionally, it is recommended to intensify workplace inspections by the Labor Inspectorate and employers are encouraged to frequently refer to the EMY website, where a 48-hour forecast of the Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) is available. This WBGT index is used to predict thermal stress among workers and should be taken into serious consideration when planning work and implementing technical and organizational measures.

Use of measure

No available information.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Applies to all workers	Applies to all businesses	Does not apply to citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government Company / Companies	No special funding required

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	No involvement	No involvement
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• No involvement
• Main level of involvement: N/A

Involvement

There was no involvement of social partners in the designing of the policy.

Views and reactions

On 14 July 2023, the GSEE (Greek General Confederation of Labour) issued a press release, updating information and providing detailed instructions for the implementation to workers regarding the management of thermal stress due to high temperatures, based on ministerial decisions that have been issued. In the same press release, GSEE emphasizes that one of its long-standing demands to the Ministry of Labor is the inclusion of explicit regulations in the current legislation for the Health and Safety of Workers. These regulations would specify the obligations of employers, particularly concerning the prevention of employee stress and the regulation of working conditions in cases of exposure to severe weather conditions (such as heatwaves and coldwaves). GSEE advocates for these regulations to be accompanied by strict penalties and an intensified inspection process by the Labor Inspectorate. No reactions have been observed from employers' organisations.

Sources

• 10 July 2023: Έκτακτο Δελτίο Επικίνδυνων Φαινομένων με Θερμοκρασίες σε Επίπεδα Καύσωνα - Κακοκαιρία Cleo (www.emy.gr)
• 12 July 2023: Απόφαση 65581/12-7-2023 Υπουργού Εργασίας "Εκτακτα μέτρα" (www.nomotelia.gr)
• 14 July 2023: ΓΣΕΕ: Δελτίο Τύπου 14/7/2023 για τη θερμική καταπόνηση εργαζομένων (gsee.gr)
• 25 July 2023: Διευκρινιστική εγκύκλιος Υπουργείου Εργασίας νο 69335/25-7-2023 (www.taxheaven.gr)