Serbian Workers Endure Extreme Heat Amidst Weak Protections

As a severe heatwave grips Serbia, with temperatures soaring close to 40 degrees Celsius, outdoor workers are facing challenging and potentially dangerous conditions. The Serbian Law on Safety and Health at Work is intended to protect employees, but specific regulations for maximum temperatures during outdoor work are lacking. Instead, employers largely rely on recommendations and guidelines issued by the Ministry of Labor and the City Institute for Public Health.

These recommendations advise against direct sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. and suggest avoiding strenuous physical labor during peak heat. However, compliance varies significantly among employers. Some workers reported that their employers are understanding, providing necessary breaks and refreshments like juices. Others expressed hope for future consideration, indicating a current lack of employer empathy.

The situation is particularly dire for those working near open grills or in physically demanding jobs on construction sites. One worker described their colleagues as fighting "like Spartans" to endure the heat. While the law allows workers to refuse unsafe work, the ambiguity of the guidelines means that employers often hold the primary responsibility for organizing work hours and conditions, leading to a situation where accountability is diluted.

Sociologist Vladimir Simović criticized this shared responsibility model, stating it is "cynical" because employers are ultimately responsible for organizing the work process and schedule. He argued that the responsibility should not be equally distributed between employers and employees, especially when the latter are exposed to significant health risks. The Inspectorate for Labor has issued an appeal for employers to adjust outdoor work during extreme heat, but this remains a non-binding request, leaving many workers vulnerable.