The month of May can say goodbye in Córdoba withvery hot temperatures, Well, for Thursday the 30th, almost 40 degrees are expected for now (specifically 38 degrees), according to the estimate offered by the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet).And, with the arrival of the month of June and the hot summer of Cordoba, there are many labor agreements that adapt to the high temperatures.
In addition to there being different collective agreements, which specifically regulate the working day in the field or construction in the hottest months, since May 13 of last year, Spain has had a Royal decree law which establishes the obligation to foresee appropriate measures to protect workers from extreme temperatures, taking into account this increasingly palpable consequence of climate change.
According to this royal decree, The central executive can regulate outdoor work when it is established red or orange warning from the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) by episodes of heat extreme, The activity may be interrupted if the employer cannot guarantee the protection of the employees, regardless of whether this circumstance occurs at a time that does not correspond to the agreement, for example April or October, since There are more and more episodes of high temperatures outside what is included in the summer season itself.
A man photographs a thermometer during a heat wave in Córdoba.
Beneficiary workers
More than 70,000 workers Cordova (about 60,000 from the sector farmer, plus about 18,000 of the construction, along with an undetermined number of professionals who also work abroad and are affected by the heat (wood workers, metal workers, postmen; delivery people; park and garden employees, garbage collection, cleaning urban or public works; police officers; Civil guards; firefightersforestry or military agents) are those who are protected by this royal decree.
In the case of Córdoba, during the months of May to September, which are the ones in which the heat is most intense, the great majority of the 60,000 workers gathered in the agreement of the field they do not carry out their work, since the campaigns that give more work (citrus and olive grove) They are concentrated between October and March. Although those who work in the last weeks of spring and summer in cereal, garlic, and sunflower fields, among other crops, which also require agricultural labor, are enduring high temperatures.
Work in full sun.
Field and construction agreements
According to the information provided by the Secretary of Occupational Health of CCOO From Cordoba, Aurelio Martín, the farm agreement in the province of Córdoba is set for summer in 37 hours per week, compared to 39 hours the rest of the year, so that from June 1 to August 31, agricultural staff work 6 hours and 10 minutes, from Monday to Saturday, with a break for breakfast.
The beginning and end of the continuous day in the field is adapted to the characteristics of the work, since In garlic, for example, it is usually started at dawn and finished at noon, to avoid excess heat.while the harvesting of cereal or sunflower crops is often carried out in the late afternoon.
For his part, Martín details that The construction agreement in Córdoba for the summer begins on June 17 and ends on September 13, hence The 35 hours per week will be carried out in the morning from Monday to Friday, starting in some tasks even before 7 in the morning, depending on the activity. In July of last year, a specific protocol for construction was published, based on the royal decree approved by the Government in May 2023.
Wood and metal sectors
For its part, the morning session is established in summer in the Cordoban wood sector between July 1 and August 31, while for him metal sector, although it is not established by agreement, yes There is a recommendation to adjust the daily schedule to a continuous schedule only in the morning between June 15 and September 15adds Aurelio Martín.
A waiter serves on an outdoor terrace.
More awareness by companies
The Secretary of Occupational Health of CCOO in Córdoba highlights that “There is still a lack of awareness on the part of some companies and businesses in the province with the reality of climate change. and with the fact of that each time the episodes of extreme temperatures extend longer in timewhich is why it urges that in all sectors (including those of the hostelry either trade) There are protocols that regulate said activity and meteorological circumstances and that do not wait until heat waves are already occurring and having a negative impact on professionals”.
In this same lineAurelio Martín advocates agreeing on new productive and working day models that adapt to the increasingly extreme weather all year round. “Now we are going to launch a informative note in sectors that have summer time and continuous workday so that workers know what they can benefit from,” notes Martín.
