Nicosia: All outdoor work between 1200-1600 local time in Cyprus is expected to cease on Wednesday as the intense heatwave gripping the island is at its peak, with the competent minister urging employers to comply with the order.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the Department of Labour Inspection of the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance announced earlier the order in a bid to protect workers from the sizzling temperatures. Employers and self-employed individuals were advised that all outdoor work must cease between 12:00 and 16:00 hours after the Meteorological Department issued an “orange alert”, indicating very high risk due to extreme temperatures.
The Labour Inspection Department stated that during these hours, all heavy and medium outdoor activities, as well as transportation and delivery tasks involving motorbikes, scooters, or other personal mobility devices, should be temporarily halted if the orange warning is active. For lighter activities or regions not under the orange alert, the Department reminded employers and self-employed persons that, according to safety and health regulations, they must measure parameters such as temperature and humidity on-site to manage the thermal load on workers effectively.
Minister of Labour and Social Insurance, Yiannis Panagiotou, told reporters on Wednesday that all affected individuals are expected to comply with the heatwave decree to safeguard workers’ health. He noted that this is the first time this summer that the decree has been implemented, acknowledging that it is based on a decision made immediately after the 2023 presidential elections to suspend outdoor work during extreme heat. Minister Panayiotou stressed that this measure has proved effective in protecting workers from harsh weather conditions.