European unions demand mandatory 'cool-down breaks' amid record heat

European trade unions are calling for mandatory "cool-down breaks" for workers facing extreme heat, drawing inspiration from the temporary stoppages implemented during the 2026 World Cup. The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), representing 45 million workers, is urging the European Commission to create a legal framework ensuring employees receive paid breaks when temperatures soar.

Esther Lynch, ETUC's general secretary, highlighted the dangers of extreme heat for laborers. "The heat breaks implemented during the World Cup have highlighted the dangers that extreme heat poses to workers, as well as the measures that can be taken to ensure their safety," she stated. While the FIFA World Cup introduced three-minute breaks per half for players in the US, Mexico, and Canada due to high temperatures, Lynch argued that outdoor and manual laborers require more substantial relief.

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The heat breaks implemented during the World Cup have highlighted the dangers that extreme heat poses to workers, as well as the measures that can be taken to ensure their safety.

"Construction workers, fruit pickers, or bus drivers need much more than three minutes to recover, but it serves as a good example of how work can be adapted to a changing climate," Lynch added. The ETUC proposes a "right to breaks" that guarantees workers can cool down without losing wages. This demand is particularly relevant as Europe experiences a record heatwave, with an estimated 94 million people exposed to temperatures above 35°C. The risk of workplace accidents increases significantly with rising temperatures, underscoring the urgency of the unions' appeal for legislative action to protect worker health and safety.

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Construction workers, fruit pickers, or bus drivers need much more than three minutes to recover, but it serves as a good example of how work can be adapted to a changing climate.