Collective bargaining and social dialogue as instruments to protect workers from heatwaves and climate change in the European Union

Abstract

This article presents a comparative analysis of how collective bargaining and social dialogue contribute to protecting European workers from the effects of high temperatures linked to climate change. The study focuses on five European countries—Spain, Italy, Greece, the Netherlands, and Hungary—which together provide a comprehensive and nuanced overview of the current situation across Europe. The methodology is primarily qualitative, based on 11 case studies (covering both sectors and companies), 60 interviews with key informants, and an in-depth analysis of the existing legal framework for heatwave prevention in both public health and occupational safety and health (OSH) contexts. The study also includes a detailed review of collective agreements and other social dialogue tools—such as heat action plans and OSH catalogues—to assess the extent to which high temperatures are addressed in collective bargaining in the selected countries. The empirical evidence reveals that high temperatures are still only marginally addressed in European collective bargaining, and significant challenges remain. Nevertheless, the fieldwork also identified several initiatives which, despite their limitations, represent steps forward in worker protection and could serve as examples of good practice.