Greece mandates work breaks as extreme heat hits country

In Greece, extreme heat conditions are currently impacting various regions as temperatures soar above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). The Greek labor ministry has reacted by implementing mandatory work breaks for outdoor manual labor and food delivery services, effective from midday to 5:00 p.m. This measure aims to protect workers from the excessive heat and is particularly enforced in central Greece and several islands. This heatwave is expected to persist until Thursday, making it essential for employers to adapt by either halting outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day or transitioning to remote work options. Notably, no emergency measures have been imposed in Athens despite the intense weather. Authorities are addressing the ongoing situation not only as a temporary response but also as part of a broader strategy to combat the impacts of climate change. The current heatwave follows several similarly severe weather conditions experienced across Europe, resulting in some of the hottest temperatures on record, including peak heat reaching 46 degrees Celsius in parts of Portugal. The Greek authorities have also been proactive regarding wildfires; recently, approximately 5,000 tourists were evacuated from parts of Crete due to a massive wildfire that ravaged forests and olive groves. The fires were tackled by around 230 firefighters, alongside various engines and helicopters, highlighting the urgency of the situation. Long-term strategies are being discussed by Greek authorities to mitigate climate change consequences, which have increasingly led to more destructive wildfires during the hot summer months, as scientists classify Greece and the wider Mediterranean as a wildfire hotspot. The urgency of these current measures cannot be understated, especially considering the broader context of environmental shifts that have sparked intense weather patterns and consequently increased wildfire incidents in the region. The preparedness for such extreme conditions is ever more critical as they become more common in this era of climate change.