Hell on the Asphalt: How the Heat is Killing Us at Work, and Our Rights Remain a Mystery!
Imagine this: the temperature soars above 35 degrees Celsius, the asphalt is melting, and you still have to go to work. No, this isn’t a scene from hell, it’s our reality in Serbia! While many of us are literally baking on the way to work, laws and rights regarding sick leave due to heatstroke remain a mystery to most workers.
Heat as a Workplace Hazard
Did you know that if you faint or get injured due to heat on your way to work, it is considered a workplace injury? Yes, it sounds like someone finally understood how dangerous heat can be! The employer is obliged to report such an injury to the labor inspection within 24 hours, and you have the right to sick leave with full pay for the first 30 days. But how many of you actually know about these rights?
Sick Leave Abuse or a Lifeline for Workers?
While some employers complain that workers are massively taking sick leave due to heat, the truth is that conscientious workers often suffer because they don’t know how to protect their health. Unions demand that work be stopped between 11 am and 4 pm when temperatures exceed 36 degrees, but the law has not yet been aligned with these demands. Employers who do not comply with preventive measures can be fined up to 1.52 million dinars!
No Legal Maximum Temperature for Outdoor Work
Yes, you read that right. In Serbia, there is no legally prescribed maximum temperature above which work should be stopped. The government only recommends that protective measures be taken when temperatures exceed 36 degrees between 11 am and 4 pm. This means you, the worker, are left at the mercy of the sun and the asphalt.
What If the Employer Doesn’t Follow the Rules?
If the employer does not provide safe conditions, you can claim compensation for material and non-material damages. But how many workers are ready to fight for their rights? The labor inspection can conduct checks and impose sanctions, but only if someone reports inadequate conditions.
Conclusion: Heat is Not Just an Inconvenience, It’s a Serious Problem
As temperatures rise and asphalt melts, workers pay the price. Rights exist, but they are poorly known and often ignored. Maybe it’s time for all of us to start a conversation — because if you don’t know your rights, how will you defend them?
What about you? Have you ever collapsed on your way to work because of the heat? Or are you an employer who thinks 35 degrees is just “a little warmer”? Drop a comment, let’s see who’s who in this hot story!
Source: Blic, Kurir Biznis
