Greece Implements Measures Amid Severe Heatwave

The news in Greek

1. καύσωνας  (m.)
   πολύ υψηλή θερμοκρασία αέρα που διαρκεί συνήθως αρκετές μέρες ↩︎
2. προστασία  (f.)
   το μέτρο να αποτραπεί κάποιος κίνδυνος ή κακό ↩︎
3. απαγορεύω
   το να μην επιτρέπεται κάτι βάσει κανονισμών ή νόμων ↩︎
4. περιοχή  (f.)
   συγκεκριμένο κομμάτι γης ή χώρου ↩︎
5. τηλεργασία  (f.)
   εργασία από απόσταση, συνήθως από το σπίτι, μέσω τηλεπικοινωνίας ↩︎
6. κινδυνεύω
   υπάρχει πιθανότητα να πάθω κάτι κακό ή επικίνδυνο ↩︎

Translation

Text comprehension

Question 1: What time is work outside prohibited during the heatwave in Greece?

Question 2: What is the consequence for not following the new work guidelines?

Vocabulary

Greek	English
καύσωνας  (m.)	heatwave
προστασία  (f.)	protection
απαγορεύω	to prohibit
περιοχή  (f.)	area
τηλεργασία  (f.)	telework
κινδυνεύω	to be in danger

Read the full story

As Greece braces for a significant heatwave expected to last six days, the government has introduced urgent measures to protect workers from heat stress. Commencing on July 21, 2025, these measures address the wellbeing of employees in the private sector, especially those engaged in outdoor and high-risk work conditions.

Greek authorities have mandated a halt on outdoor work during the peak hours of 12:00 to 17:00, particularly in regions where temperatures and discomfort levels are anticipated to be exceptionally high. These regions include the flatlands of various regional units such as Evros, Serron, Larissa, Viotia, and Chalkidiki, among others. The policy impacts manual labour activities including construction, transport, and delivery services using two-wheeled vehicles.

In addition to halting outdoor work, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security is encouraging businesses to facilitate remote work for employees classified as high-risk, when the nature of their work permits. This approach not only mitigates exposure to severe heat conditions but also ensures continued productivity.

The government specifies that critical infrastructure services in health, transport, and utilities are exempt from these work stoppages, provided they implement other safety measures to manage heat stress among their workforce. Non-compliance with the new regulations will result in fines amounting to two thousand euros per employee, enforceable by the Labour Inspectorate.

Experts from the National Observatory of Athens highlight the risks associated with the heatwave, urging individuals to take precautionary steps such as staying hydrated, avoiding alcohol and caffeine, and opting for light, water-rich foods. Vulnerable groups, including the elderly, children, and those with pre-existing health conditions, should exercise additional caution.

This comprehensive response underscores Greece’s commitment to safeguarding its workforce against extreme weather phenomena while ensuring operational continuity where necessary.

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