France: Construction workers win expanded compensation covering heatwaves

In a significant step towards enhancing workers’ health and safety, the French government has extended the compensation scheme for construction and public works (BTP) workers to include work stoppages due to heatwaves. Enacted by decree no. 2024-630 on 28 June 2024, this marks a milestone in recognising heatwaves as a legitimate health and safety hazard warranting work stoppage and just compensation. Previously, the scheme only covered conditions such as frost, snow, ice, rain, wind, and floods.

The FNCB-CFDT, FNSCBA-CGT and FO-BTP all hailed this development as a “major victory,” celebrating over a decade of advocacy for the recognition of heatwaves as a real threat to workers’ health and safety necessitating work stoppages. However, the unions were quick to emphasise that the current decree does not address the risks associated with sudden heat peaks, which can pose significant dangers to workers.

The unions are calling on trade union activists and employers to initiate discussions on organising work during periods of high heat. Key measures include implementing prevention strategies, ensuring access to drinking water and cool spaces, and adjusting work schedules to mitigate the effects of extreme heat. The union also stresses the importance of extending protective measures to workers in industries like ceramics, cement, and wood-based panels, where extreme heat is a constant risk.

Photo: pexels.com