Spain has taken a significant step towards protecting its workforce from the increasingly frequent impacts of extreme weather events. The country’s Council of Ministers approved a groundbreaking new law on Thursday, introducing ‘climate leave’—providing workers with up to four days of paid time off when severe weather conditions make commuting to work impossible or unsafe.
This innovative legislation, inspired by similar measures in Canada, directly addresses the vulnerability of workers facing extreme weather events like flash floods, heatwaves, or severe storms. The impetus for this law is the tragic DANA weather event in October, which caused unprecedented flash flooding in the Valencia region, resulting in over 200 deaths and widespread disruption. The initial trial of the climate leave policy in affected areas proved successful, leading to its nationwide rollout.
The law, set to take effect on November 29th after publication in the Official State Gazette (BOE), will grant employees paid leave if they are unable to reach their workplace due to official warnings from civil protection agencies. This ensures protection even if an employer attempts to deny the leave. Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Labour and Social Economy, Yolanda Díaz, hailed this as Spain’s first “genuine climate leave,” emphasizing its significance in safeguarding worker well-being during climate-related emergencies.
Minister of Economy, Carlos Cuerpo, clarified that the leave applies when physical attendance at the workplace is impossible, even if remote work is an option. For situations requiring more extended leave, companies will have the flexibility to integrate employees into existing labor procedures or extend the leave, potentially sharing the cost. The law also mandates that companies implement comprehensive risk prevention measures specific to disaster scenarios within 12 months. Workers will have the right to be informed about these measures during activated disaster alerts.
The new regulations highlight the varying risk levels faced by workers in different sectors. As Díaz explained, “The climate risks are not the same for a worker who works in a construction company or outdoors as they are for a worker who, for example, works in an infirmary or a library.” This necessitates tailored action plans for individual companies, mirroring existing protocols for issues like gender-based or LGBTI violence.
This proactive approach by the Spanish government underscores the growing global recognition of the need to adapt to climate change impacts. By prioritizing worker safety and providing a framework for employers to mitigate climate-related risks in the workplace, Spain sets a strong precedent for other nations to follow in their efforts to build resilience against extreme weather events and safeguard the well-being of their citizens.
