Spain: Royal decree-law 4/2023 of 11 May 2023 obligating employers to provide preventative measures to cope with any risks linked to adverse weather events

Royal decree-law 4/2023 of 11 May 2023 lays down an obligation for employers to provide for appropriate preventative measures to cope with any risks linked to adverse weather events, such as extreme temperatures. When meteorological agencies issue an amber or red weather alert and sufficient preventive measures are not in place, working conditions will have to be adapted. This includes reducing the hours – or changing the times – of the working day. The UGT confederation regrets that this topic has not been the subject of a social dialogue, but is nevertheless pleased with the measure and plans to negotiate memoranda of understanding at different companies, covering prevention of the effects of heat stress, based on a model agreement (see UGT press release).