The Greek Ministry of Labor and Social Security has announced emergency measures to protect private sector workers from heat stress on Monday, July 7, 2025, as temperatures are expected to rise above 40°C in many parts of the country. The instructions include a temporary halt to outdoor delivery services during peak heat hours.
According to an announcement published on Sunday (June 6, 2025), work activities in open-air environments such as delivery services will be suspended from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM on Monday, July 7, 2025. This measure applies to several regions including Central Macedonia, Ionian Islands, Western Greece, Thessaly, Messinia, Samos, and the eastern part of Rhodes.
The directive outlines specific protective actions for employers to follow in accordance with a non-exhaustive list provided in Circular 34666/03.06.2024 titled ‘Prevention of Heat Stress among Workers’ (ΑΔΑ: ΡΓ1Ν46ΝΛΔΓ-ΩΟ6).
For businesses operating in areas under extreme heat conditions, all manual labor conducted outdoors must cease during the specified time window. This includes construction sites, technical projects, shipyards, and delivery services using two-wheeled vehicles, scooters, or skateboards.
All employees are covered by this mandatory suspension, regardless of employment type, including those working through digital platforms under Article 68 of Law 4808/2021. In cases where delivery operations are halted, companies must stop delivery services whether they operate physical stores or digital platforms. However, takeaway options may remain active, and deliveries via air-conditioned private or public vehicles (excluding two-wheelers) are permitted.
Exceptions apply to essential services related to healthcare, transportation, and public utilities, provided that appropriate safety measures outlined in the circular are followed. Non-compliance will result in fines of €2,000 per employee imposed by the Labor Inspection Authority under Articles 23 and 24 of Law 3996/2011.
Additionally, vulnerable workers listed in Appendix 2 of the circular should be offered remote work opportunities if their job nature allows it. Employers are also encouraged to adjust working hours without prior registration in the “ERGANI” information system.