Spain passes measures to protect workers amid climate emergency

OVIEDO, Spain

The Spanish government on Thursday passed a series of measures to protect workers from the risks posed by climate change.

Following the deadly floods in Valencia, where several workers lost their lives while driving home, the government introduced pioneering legislation aimed at preventing similar tragedies.

One of the new regulations is the so-called “climate permissions,” which allows workers to miss work during adverse climate events while still receiving pay.

“What workers need to know is that if any authority – whether a city, a regional government or the federal government – indicates that there is a risk, if alarm bells are ringing, you do not have to go to work,” Labor Minister Yolanda Diaz said on Spanish broadcaster TVE.

Diaz explained that the “climate permissions” can last for four days. After that, the company can continue paying workers or apply for temporary layoffs (ERTE).

In a press conference, Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo added that workers can claim the pay when unable to reach their workplace and cannot work remotely.

Besides the climate permissions, Diaz explained that companies will also be required to inform workers about what to do in adverse weather situations, made more frequent by climate change.

Employers will have 12 months to develop protocols for hazardous weather or natural disasters.

“A construction worker exposed to the outdoors will not have the same needs as a librarian, so we are giving companies a mandate to make specific protocols for each company,” Diaz added.

Diaz noted that Spain’s legislation is inspired by Canadian laws and that Spain is one of “very few” countries to incorporate climate change into labor legislation.

The new regulations are part of a third aid package worth €2.2 billion ($2.3 billion) to help Valencia recover from the floods that killed at least 230 people and caused widespread damage to homes, businesses, vehicles and infrastructure.