"Working in Heat: A Matter of Safety" Left Party Leader Proposes Reduced Hours in Scorching Conditions
Union leader advocates for reduced work duration in heatwave conditions
Engage Share Forward Email Print Copy Link The progressive Left Party co-chair, Jan van Aken, has put forth a proposal for "heat leave" at workplaces amid sweltering temperatures. He advocates for a reduction in daily working hours by a quarter and half when temperatures reach 26 and 30 degrees Celsius respectively, as per his action paper entitled "Heat Protection is Occupational Safety - Act Now," reported by the German Editorial Network (RND on Monday editions).
Van Aken maintains that the climate emergency has transitioned into a social crisis, affecting those forced to work under the unforgiving sun or in stifling office settings. He believes nobody can maintain focus and productivity in an office above 30 degrees Celsius. In his view, heat stress can result in various health complications, affecting both physical labor undertaken outdoors and those engaged in office work.
The Left Party leader is urging the federal government to institute immediate measures by July 2025. These emphasize tightening the Workplace Ordinance, implementing additional breaks every hour, providing workers with sufficient water and sun protection, and providing the option for remote work. Additionally, he suggests a 25% decrease in full-time hours for temperatures above 26 degrees, and a 50% reduction in working hours for temperatures surpassing 30 degrees Celsius. These reductions would be supported by more frequent breaks and the placement of fans where necessary.
The Union has expressed skepticism, citing existing work safety regulations. Union spokesperson Marc Biadacz (CDU) stated in "Welt," suggesting that the Left Party's proposal is overly utopian and economically impractical, especially for sectors like crafts, care work, and the public sector.
Meanwhile, the AfD has flatly rejected the Left Party's proposal. Martin Sichert, the AfD's health policy spokesperson, asserts that it's the role of businesses to safeguard their employees, not government interference.
The Greens support the concept of revised work hour regulations, as stated in their newspaper. They argue that the unique strain on construction sites and outdoor work leads to increased health risks, particularly for those working in extreme heat. Deputy Green faction leader Andreas Audretsch emphasizes the need for tailored heat protection plans for individual operations. Moreover, van Aken calls for free sunscreen dispensers at beaches and more hydration stations in cities in the action paper.
Source: ntv.de, AFP
Additional Insights:
Germany currently lacks specific federal laws requiring explicit actions solely based on workplace temperature thresholds for heat protection. Instead, employers are generally expected to ensure a secure work environment, providing adequate ventilation, hydration, and, in some instances, adjusting work schedules during heatwaves.
The Left Party, Led by van Aken, proposes concrete measures to protect workers from heat, including a 25% reduction in full-time hours, mandatory breaks, and employer-provided water and fans. While the Greens support heat protection initiatives, the Union and AfD have yet to offer comprehensive proposals regarding specific heat protection regulations for workplaces in Germany.
- The Left Party, as stated in their action paper "Heat Protection is Occupational Safety - Act Now," advocates for a reduction in daily working hours in scorching conditions due to the climate emergency transitioning into a social crisis.
- In a report by the German Editorial Network, Jan van Aken, the co-chair of the Left Party, proposes a 25% decrease in full-time hours for temperatures above 26 degrees Celsius and a 50% reduction in working hours for temperatures surpassing 30 degrees Celsius.
- The Left Party's proposal includes tightening the Workplace Ordinance, implementing additional breaks every hour, providing workers with sufficient water and sun protection, and offering the option for remote work.
- The Greens support the concept of revised work hour regulations, arguing that they address unique strain on construction sites and outdoor work, leading to increased health risks for workers in extreme heat.
- The Greens also call for tailored heat protection plans for individual operations and demand free sunscreen dispensers at beaches and more hydration stations in cities, as per their stance on this matter.
