The Greek Ministry of Labour and Social Security has issued a directive outlining emergency measures to shield private sector employees from heat-related stress, for Monday, July 28.
Employers must implement technical and organizational safeguards for private-sector employees in dependent roles. These measures come in light of updated forecasts from the National Meteorological Service (EMY), which predict exceptionally high temperatures and levels of heat discomfort (WBGT index) in several regions.
The affected areas include mainland Attica (excluding the islands), Thrace, Central Macedonia, and the regional units of Trikala, Larissa, Heraklion, and Lasithi, Crete, as well as the islands of Lesvos, Chios, Samos, and Rhodes.
In these regions, a mandatory work stoppage will be enforced between 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. for all outdoor manual labor. This applies to construction and technical worksites, shipbuilding and repair zones, and the delivery and transport of goods using bicycles, scooters, or roller skates—essentially targeting delivery services operating in high-heat environments.
The directive clarifies that if delivery operations are suspended, the restriction applies universally to all delivery companies, regardless of whether they operate physical storefronts or digital platforms.
However, takeaway services will still be allowed, meaning customers can collect their orders directly from stores or pickup points. Additionally, deliveries can use private or public vehicles, but not any two-wheeled vehicles like motorcycles or mopeds.
Importantly, the work stoppage does not apply to economically critical and socially essential infrastructure sectors, including health services, transportation, and utilities.
