The first real heat wave of the season in Greece has, as expected, been accompanied by a circular from the relevant labor ministry declaring a mandatory five-hour suspension in various occupations conducted outdoors, such as delivery work by motorcyclists.
The suspension was announced for Friday, between noon and 5 p.m. in specific regions around the country where temperatures were expected to exceed 40C.
The five-hour work suspension affects the construction and ship-repair sectors.
Health-related and utility work is exempted.
Violations can carry a fine of up to 2,000 euro for each employee.
Additionally, the ministry called on individuals with “high-risk” medical conditions to work remotely, if possible, while employers can change daily schedules without the prior online notification normally required.
According to the Meteo.gr meteorological site of the Athens Observatory, temperatures in certain low-lying areas of Greece will exceed the 40C-threshold on Friday, and even into the evening hours. However, the “mercury” will decrease over the weekend, with some parts of northern Greece to experience thunderstorms, in fact.
