Statement by the State Labour Inspectorate Service to employers:

The State Labour Inspectorate Service under the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Population states that ensuring the protection of workers’ lives and health during weather conditions where air temperatures exceed 41°C is one of the primary responsibilities of employers.

In accordance with the Labour Code, all work carried out outdoors and at workplaces without cooling equipment must be suspended under such weather conditions.

Employees should be provided with opportunities to cool down through rest breaks. The number and duration of these breaks should be determined jointly by the employer and the trade union organisation.

These breaks must be included in working hours, and employees must be paid according to their tariff wages during the break periods.

If work is suspended, the downtime must be treated as downtime occurring through no fault of the employee, and compensation must be paid at no less than two-thirds of the employee’s tariff wage.

Where working conditions permit, the work schedule may be adjusted by suspending work during the hottest part of the day (providing an extended break) and dividing the working day into separate periods.