The head of Germany’s IG BAU trade union, Robert Feiger, has raised concerns about the health risks faced by construction workers due to rising temperatures and is advocating for a “climate short-time work allowance”. Speaking to Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland, Feiger emphasized the significant challenges of working outdoors in extreme heat, particularly when dealing with materials like hot asphalt. He stated that existing measures such as increased hydration, longer breaks and sun protection are no longer sufficient to mitigate the risks over extended periods.
Feiger proposed a system similar to the existing seasonal short-time work allowance for winter, where work is suspended when temperatures are excessively low or snow is present. Under this proposed “climate short-time work allowance” employees would receive 60 percent of their net income, supplemented by benefits from the Federal Employment Agency. For those with at least one child, this percentage would rise to 67 percent.
The IG BAU is currently engaged in discussions with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and construction employers to achieve a new regulation. Feiger stressed the importance of ensuring that workers are not financially disadvantaged by the impacts of climate change. The union is pushing for a solution that protects the financial well-being of construction workers facing increasingly challenging working conditions due to heatwaves.
