A new labor deal in Spain may close outdoor cafes, bars and restaurants in summer heatwaves when periods of extreme heat become dangerous for workers and customers.
A new amendment to the National Labor Agreement for the Hospitality Sector requires that climate conditions be a factor in work organization.
Under the rules, when the State Meteorological Agency issues orange or red heat warnings, the terraces will close. It’s not only heat that’s involved: businesses will now be required to respond to official weather alerts, which might also involve heavy rain or snow or wind conditions.
In recent years, temperatures of 40C (104F) have become common, especially in southern regions, where Spain’s highest single-day temperature ever was reached last August: 45.8 (114) at Jerez de la Frontera.
Image: Jude Lee/ Wikimedia Commons
