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Apr 28, 2026<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Heat deaths are not accidents they are failures of policy.<\/strong><\/p>\n Brussels, 28 April 2026<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0:\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>On International Workers\u2019 Memorial Day, EFFAT joins the global labour movement in remembering workers who have lost their lives at work. This year, as we honour those we have lost, EFFAT demands urgent EU action to protect workers from extreme heat.<\/p>\n Another summer is coming. And we\u2019re sure about one thing: it won\u2019t be cooler.<\/p>\n Every year, extreme heat is killing workers:<\/p>\n Last summer, a farm worker died in Spain harvesting fruit at 40\u00b0C. A warehouse worker in France died when his body temperature reached 42.9\u00b0C.<\/p>\n Their deaths were preventable<\/strong><\/p>\n For workers in agriculture, food processing, hospitality, and domestic work, extreme heat is not abstract: it is a daily threat that destroys lives and livelihoods. By 2030, working hours in agriculture will go down 60% globally due to heat, with Eastern Europe the hardest-hit region in Europe[3]<\/a>.<\/p>\n Voluntary measures are failing and will not stop heat waves<\/strong><\/p>\n While the European Commission and EU-OSHA issued guidance in 2023, research shows employers demonstrate \u201creluctance to adopt preventive measures.\u201d Workers continue to fall ill, suffer accidents, and die. High levels of precarious and undeclared work in agriculture and hospitality discourage workers from reporting heat stress, as they fear job loss or retaliation.<\/p>\n EFFAT\u2019s Demands<\/strong><\/p>\n EFFAT stands with the ETUC in demanding binding EU legislation on maximum working temperatures as part of the Quality Jobs Act and the Climate Adaptation Plan, including:<\/p>\n \u2705<\/strong>\u00a0Maximum working temperature limits Enrico Somaglia, EFFAT General Secretary on Workers Memorial Day said: \u201cClimate change is a reality and a major occupational risk. Every summer, workers pay the price of extreme heat with their health, and too often with their lives. These are not unavoidable tragedies; they are the result of political inaction. The EU must act now to guarantee safe working temperatures for all. Heat protection is a fundamental right, not a privilege\u201d.<\/strong><\/p>\n [1]<\/a>\u00a0Overheated and underprepared: Europeans\u2019 experience of living with climate change | Publications | European Environment Agency (EEA)<\/a> International Workers\u2019 Memorial Day 2026: The climate crisis is a workers\u2019 crisis Apr 28, 2026 Heat deaths are not accidents they are failures of policy. Brussels, 28 April 2026\u00a0:\u00a0\u00a0On International Workers\u2019 Memorial Day, EFFAT joins the global labour movement in remembering workers who have lost their lives at work. This year, as we honour those … Continue reading Europe: Heat deaths are not accidents they are failures of policy – EFFAT<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n
\n<\/strong>\u2705<\/strong>\u00a0The right to stop work when health is at risk
\n<\/strong>\u2705<\/strong>\u00a0Mandatory heat risk assessments using advanced indicators
\n<\/strong>\u2705<\/strong>\u00a0Stronger protections: changes in work organization, acclimatization, hydration
\n<\/strong>\u2705<\/strong>\u00a0Recognition of climate change and other extreme weather events as an occupational risk with income compensation for working hours lost<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n[2]<\/a>\u00a0Heatwaves as an occupational hazard The impact of heat and heatwaves on workers\u2019 health, safety and wellbeing and on social inequalities-2021.pdf<\/a>
\n[3]<\/a>\u00a0Working on a warmer planet: The impact of heat stress on labour productivity and decent work<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\nShare this post<\/h3>
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