The Left's Heat Break Demand: A Battle Cry for Worker Protection
Left-leaning groups advocating for job growth and employment opportunities to increase and extend.
It's high time for workers to get some relief from the scorching heat at work, according to Germany's left-wing party, Die Linke. Their proposal aims to significantly expand heat breaks as a means to safeguard workers from heat-related health issues amidst the climate crisis.
Jan van Aken, co-chair of Die Linke, is advocating for what he calls a "heat break" at workplaces. In an action paper, he suggests that starting at temperatures of 26 degrees Celsius, the daily work time should be reduced by a quarter, and at 30 degrees, work time should be cut by half. This, he argues, is essential to protect the health of workers who toil in the sweltering heat or sit in overheated offices (RND).
Van Aken believes that concentrating and working effectively becomes impossible in an office above 30 degrees. Heat stress can lead to health problems, especially for those doing heavy physical labor outside, he warns (RND). His proposed measures echo his conviction that the climate crisis has long since become a social crisis.
Timeline for Implementation and Additional Measures
Van Aken calls on the federal government to implement immediate measures by July 2025. He proposes augmenting the Workplace Ordinance: Employers should provide an additional ten-minute break per hour when temperatures exceed 26 degrees, offer sufficient water and sun protection, allow working from home, and reduce full-time work by 25%. For temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius, work should be reduced by 50%, with breaks every half hour, and fans installed in the workplace (Welt).
Moreover, van Aken suggests the installation of free sunscreen dispensers at beaches and more water fountains in cities as part of a broader heat protection strategy (Welt).
The Union, AfD, and Greens
The Union and AfD have rejected the heat break demand. The Union cites existing regulations, stating that Germany already has a robust and proven work safety system. However, the Left's initiative is deemed impractical, particularly for sectors such as crafts, care work, and the public sector (Welt).
AfD, meanwhile, has dismissed the Left Party's entire proposal, asserting that it's inappropriate for the state to dictate corporate behavior (Welt).
On the other hand, the Greens support "adjusted working time regulations." They acknowledge the increased strain and health risks for those who work outdoors, such as construction workers, and advocate for tailored heat protection plans for each business (Welt).
Guide: Coping with Heat at Work
Currently, workplace regulations suggest that a room temperature of up to 26 degrees Celsius is tolerable. If temperatures surpass this mark, employers must check if individual employee health is at risk. From 30 degrees, employers should act according to recommendations.
For instance, they could install sun shields on windows, provide drinks, or allow for more frequent breaks. A dress code and tie requirement should be eased, and above an indoor temperature of over 35 degrees Celsius, the work environment may not be suitable, entitling workers to refuse to work there, or to demand longer cooling breaks or a different room (ntv.de, mau/AFP).
However, workers who operate outdoors, such as construction workers, garbage collectors, or window cleaners, may not be able to abide by this room temperature. There are specific regulations for outdoor workers to protect them from the sun's effects (ntv.de, mau/AFP).
- Health
- Labor Law
- Jan van Aken
- Climate Change
- Die Linke
- The policy proposal by Germany's left-wing party, Die Linke, focusing on safeguarding workers from heat-related health issues due to climate change, is centered on expanding heat breaks at workplaces, as advocated by Jan van Aken, co-chair of Die Linke.
- In a broader heat protection strategy, van Aken suggests installing free sunscreen dispensers at beaches and more water fountains in cities, aligning with his conviction that the climate crisis has transformed into a social crisis.
- The Union and AfD have rejected the heat break demand, with concerns over practicality for certain sectors and the appropriateness of state interference in corporate behavior, respectively.
- Supporting "adjusted working time regulations," the Greens recognize the increased strain and health risks for outdoor workers and advocate for tailored heat protection plans for each business.
