Heatwave death sparks protests among European workers

WorldHealth & Fitness
24 Jul 2025 • 7:59 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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  • Southern Europe is grappling with a brutal heatwave, creating perilous conditions for outdoor workers.
  • The death of a street sweeper in Barcelona due to extreme heat has sparked protests and calls for tougher regulations from European labour unions.
  • More than 1,000 excess deaths have been recorded in Spain during June and July, attributed to the severe heat.
  • Despite new rules issued by Barcelona City Hall, workers claim these measures are not being implemented and they face sanctions for taking breaks.
  • European labour organisations and the UN's International Labour Organization are advocating for a coordinated international approach to protect workers from heat stress, which they term an “invisible killer”.

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