Europe’s hottest workers demand protection as heatwave bakes region
Heatwave death sparks protests among European workers
- Southern Europe is grappling with a brutal heatwave, creating perilous conditions for outdoor workers.
- The death of a street sweeper in Barcelona due to extreme heat has sparked protests and calls for tougher regulations from European labour unions.
- More than 1,000 excess deaths have been recorded in Spain during June and July, attributed to the severe heat.
- Despite new rules issued by Barcelona City Hall, workers claim these measures are not being implemented and they face sanctions for taking breaks.
- European labour organisations and the UN's International Labour Organization are advocating for a coordinated international approach to protect workers from heat stress, which they term an “invisible killer”.