Sweating Through the Workday: The Left Proposes Extended Breaks for Heat Relief
The progressive faction advocates for greater employment opportunities.
In the scorching heat of the climate crisis, work conditions are becoming increasingly unbearable. The Left Party proposes a revolutionary solution to protect workers from the summer heat. The plan calls for extended breaks starting at 26 degrees Celsius in the office or on the street. The Greens back the proposal, while the Union and AfD argue it's unrealistic.
Left Party co-chair Jan van Aken is unafraid to speak up about the need for a heat refuge at workplaces. According to his policy paper titled "Heat Protection is Occupational Safety - Act Now", workers should receive an additional ten-minute break per hour at 26 degrees, and at 30 degrees, work hours should be reduced by 50%.
"The climate catastrophe has transformed into a social crisis. Those who toil under the oppressive sun or sit in an overheated office often pay the price with their health," van Aken said. He believes no one can focus or perform efficiently in an office at 30 degrees or higher. Heat stress can lead to a range of health problems, from simple discomfort to severe complications like skin cancer.
Action by July 2025
Van Aken calls on the government to implement urgent measures by July 2025. This includes tightening Occupational Safety and Health Regulation, providing adequate water and sun protection, the right to work from home, and a 25% reduction in full-time work at 26 degrees. At 30 degrees, workers should enjoy a 50% reduction in working hours, with a ten-minute break every half hour, and fans set up at the workplace. Van Aken's policy paper also suggests free sunscreen dispensers at beaches and more water dispensers in cities.
Union and AfD Unconvinced
The Union is skeptical, citing existing regulations. "Germany already has a robust and effective work safety system - even at high temperatures," said Union spokesman Marc Biadacz. He argues that the Left's proposal is unrealistic, especially for sectors like crafts, care, and the public sector.
The AfD is equally dismissive, contending that it's not the government's role to dictate company behavior. "Companies should be trusted to take necessary measures for their employees, not have those measures dictated to them from above," said AfD health policy spokesman Martin Sichert.
Greens on Board
The Greens support "adjusted working time regulations." Green parliamentary deputy Andreas Audretsch acknowledges that outdoor workers, such as construction workers, face increased health risks and skin cancer in the heat. "We need heat protection plans tailored to each workplace," he emphasized.
A Warming Climate, A Cooling Solution?
Currently, a workplace temperature up to 26 degrees Celsius is considered acceptable under technical regulations. Above this, the employer should assess the risks to individual employees. At 30 degrees, employers should intervene, in recommendation, not mandate, using measures such as sun shields, cooling drinks, and frequent breaks. For outdoor workers, regulations are in place to protect them from the sun and heat at their worksite.
In the face of the expanding climate crisis, the need for a cooler workday is becoming increasingly urgent. With the Left's proposal, we might just be one step closer to a more comfortable and healthier workplace environment.
- Politics
- Jan van Aken
- Climate Change
- Heat Protection
- Labor Law
Behind the Scenes
While the German government hasn't prioritized heat relief at workplaces as a major policy agenda item, broader initiatives and discussions related to climate policy and energy security might indirectly impact workplace conditions. The new German government under Chancellor Friedrich Merz has focused on reducing energy prices and reviving the economy. Parties like the Greens could potentially push for policies that address workplace heat relief indirectly through broader climate and energy reforms. Employers and companies are increasingly being encouraged to take proactive measures to protect workers from heat-related hazards, especially in the absence of federal regulations.
- Jan van Aken, co-chair of the Left Party, advocates for urgent action on heat protection at workplaces, proposing extended breaks and reduced working hours as part of his policy paper, "Heat Protection is Occupational Safety - Act Now".
- The Left Party's heat relief proposal, including tightened Occupational Safety and Health Regulations and a 50% reduction in working hours at 30 degrees, is currently under debate in the context of a warming climate and changing labor laws.
- As the German government focuses on reducing energy prices and reviving the economy under Chancellor Friedrich Merz, parties like the Greens may indirectly push for policies addressing workplace heat relief through broader climate and energy reforms.
