The death of a street cleaner during a heat wave in Madrid is driving a debate in Spain about the need to adapt labor rules to the realities of climate change.
A worker sprays water in the street while a road sweeper walks behind her during hot weather in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, July 20, 2022. When José Antonio González started his afternoon shift sweeping the streets of Madrid, the temperature was 40 degrees Celsius amid a heat wave gripping Spain.
“It’s obvious that social inequalities play a part” in how much people suffer during heat waves, says Júlio Díaz of Spain’s Carlos III Health Institute. The recent torrid weather in Europe, which has seen a spike in the number and size of wildfires, is forcing the issue to the forefront. Ahead of France's latest heat wave, which set some record temperatures this week, the government reminded employers of their legal obligation to protect workers in extreme heat. That includes free drinking water, ventilation and, if possible, changing working hours and providing extra breaks.
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