Italy is planning to introduce special measures to assist construction and agricultural companies in supporting their employees during a hot summer heatwave. This decision follows the unfortunate death of a 61-year-old cleaner who was found slumped in a changing room, where the temperature was reported to be 39°C. The cleaner is among five individuals in Italy whose deaths over the past week are believed to have been caused by the extreme heat, although the actual death toll is likely to be significantly higher.
The proposed scheme by the Italian government would enable companies to implement temporary layoffs for their workers due to the severe heat. These hours would not be counted towards the regular limits for such layoffs. However, the primary union representing these workers, CGIL, believes the plan falls short because it doesn't encompass workers in delivery firms, seasonal jobs, and other categories.
This proposal comes at a time when hospitals in the worst-affected regions are witnessing a surge in heat-related emergencies. Both the government and unions are striving to collaborate on strategies to assist workers in various sectors during the heatwaves. This includes initiatives like reorganizing work shifts and breaks to mitigate the effects of the extreme temperatures.
Source: Yahoo! News, 25 July 2023