EU debate on heat: Poland in favor of national solutions

As an RMF FM journalist found out, almost every minister talked about the heat in their country. At times, the discussion resembled a competition to see where it was hottest. Even a minister from Ireland, where today the temperature is around 19 degrees Celsius, talked about the effects of heat waves.

Employees and heat. Warsaw's position

Warsaw believes that the responsibility for protecting employees against the effects of heat should remain primarily with the member states, said an RMF FM journalist.

Certainly, the issues of protecting employees against heat should be regulated at the national level. At the EU level, what is needed, above all, is a debate, exchange of good practices and similar soft instruments, Deputy Minister of Labor Sebastian Gajewski told RMF FM.

The deputy minister also admitted that the European Commission traditionally supports more ambitious solutions. The Commission always wants to go further. When he talks about possible legislation, at least it triggers a more serious debate, he said.

As Gajewski reported, the EU Commissioner for Social Rights and Job Quality, Roxana Mînzatu, has not yet presented specific proposals. It was more focused on listening to learn about the sensitivities of the Member States, because the situation in different countries is different, he emphasized.

"They cook faster"

Gajewski argued that it would be difficult to create uniform regulations for the entire EU. Finns experience heat differently than Greeks or Maltese. They "cook" faster, he said figuratively.

However, the deputy minister does not rule out that, as climate change progresses, common EU regulations will one day be created. In the longer term, this issue will appear in the framework legislation on occupational health and safety. The only question is whether it will happen within five years or fifteen, he said.

One of the directions being considered is to include this issue in the upcoming Quality Jobs Act, which the EU commissioner announced for December.

The Cypriot Presidency emphasizes that extreme temperatures are becoming an increasing threat to the health of workers, especially those employed in construction, agriculture, transport and industry. Possible solutions include: mandatory access to drinking water, breaks and cool places to rest.

However, there is no talk of new EU regulations for now. Today's discussion showed that member states are far from agreement, and the topic will come back with subsequent heatwaves.