Greece orders workers to down tools as another heatwave takes hold
Compulsory breaks for food delivery riders as Greece heatwave persists
- Greece has introduced mandatory work breaks for outdoor manual labour and food delivery services in regions where temperatures are forecast to exceed 40 degrees Celsius.
- The labour ministry's order prohibits these activities from midday to 5pm in central Greece and several islands, with employers also advised to offer remote work options.
- This measure comes as a heatwave is set to grip the country until Thursday, following similar extreme temperatures experienced across Europe.
- Greek authorities are implementing long-term strategies to address the effects of climate change, including the deployment of a record number of firefighters this summer.
- The country has recently battled significant wildfires, including one on Crete that necessitated the evacuation of 5,000 tourists, and another near Athens.