Facing a prolonged heatwave impacting working conditions across the nation, members of the Green Party faction in the German Bundestag are calling for immediate action from employers to protect employee health. A draft resolution, reported by the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland, proposes that businesses implement measures when workplace temperatures reach 26 degrees Celsius (79 degrees Fahrenheit).
These measures, tailored to specific work environments and job functions, could include adjusted working hours, extended and paid breaks, shading and sun protection, the use of fans and the provision of complimentary beverages. The resolution emphasizes a flexible and appropriate approach to heat mitigation.
The Green Party is also advocating for a legal right to heat-free time for employees. Should employers fail to adequately fulfill their obligations regarding heat protection, workers should be entitled to time off due to excessive heat. They urge unions and employer groups to negotiate specific solutions for heat protection and heat-free time within collective bargaining agreements.
Recognizing the heightened vulnerability of healthcare facilities, the Green Party is pushing for the expansion of federal and state funding for climate adaptation programs in social care institutions. This would entail providing 200 euros per individual requiring care for the installation of climate control and heat protection measures. Furthermore, they propose allocating 650 million euros from the federal budget to support 250 additional projects focusing on climate adaptation in both urban and rural areas.
In the same document, Green Party lawmakers underscore that “the best precaution against dangerous heat is consistent climate protection”. This call for proactive environmental action stands alongside their immediate demands for workplace safety and adaptation measures. The issue has also recently been brought into the political spotlight by left-wing politician Jan van Aken, who advocated for a similar proposal of reduced working hours in extreme heat.
