The Ministry of Labour 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 reach up to 40°C across most parts of the country. These directives include a halt to outdoor operations such as delivery services during peak heat hours.
According to an announcement released on Sunday (June 6, 2025), work activities in open-air spaces—including delivery services—must pause from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM on Monday due to the extreme weather conditions.
The detailed guidelines are as follows:
**A. Measures to Combat Heat Stress for Private Sector Workers**
Employers must implement technical and organizational protection measures, based on the indicative—but not restrictive—list outlined in Circular No. 34666/03.06.2024 titled “Prevention of Heat Stress among Workers” (ΑΔΑ: ΡΓ1Ν46ΝΛΔΓ-ΩΟ6).
**B. Mandatory Work Suspension for Outdoor Activities**
Work suspension is mandatory between 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM on Monday, July 7, 2025, for manual labor performed outdoors in the following regions: Central Macedonia, Ionian Islands, Western Greece, Thessaly, the regional units of Messinia and Samos, and the eastern part of Rhodes. This includes construction sites, workshops, transportation, and deliveries via two-wheeled vehicles, scooters, or skateboards (delivery services).
This restriction applies to all employees regardless of employment type, including those working through digital platforms under Article 68 of Law 4808/2021.
For delivery companies, while direct deliveries are suspended during this period, customers may still opt for takeaway services or use private or public air-conditioned vehicles (excluding motorcycles and mopeds) for order fulfillment if available.
Exceptions apply to essential services in healthcare, transport, and public utilities, provided that all other preventive measures outlined in the circular are followed.
Non-compliance with these regulations will result in fines of €2,000 per employee by the Labor Inspection Authority, according to Articles 23 and 24 of Law 3996/2011.
**C. Remote Work Options**
Companies should offer remote work options to employees belonging to high-risk groups, especially those exposed to harsh conditions in the affected areas, provided their job nature allows it.
**D. Emergency Adjustments to Working Hours**
Employers may temporarily adjust working hours without prior registration in the “ERGANI” information system to help employees avoid exposure to extreme heat.