Workers in Spain now have access to “paid climate leave.”
The new measure, put in a place a month after deadly floods ravaged the Valencia region, allows workers to take up to four days of paid time off during weather emergencies rather than have to commute.
The measure was passed by the Council of Ministers on Thursday and was reportedly inspired by a similar one in Canada, reports the Independent, which notes the paid leave will be tied to alerts about climate or meteorological disasters.
Minister of Economy Carlos Cuerpo specified that the paid leave will be available when civil protection agencies instruct people to stay home and when they cannot work remotely.
“So we are giving Spanish companies the mandate that within 12 months they must have protocols for action.”
In Spain, employees can now take “paid climate leave.”. The new policy, which was implemented a month after the Valencia region was devastated by deadly floods, permits employees to take up to four days of paid time off during weather emergencies instead of having to commute. According to the Independent, the Council of Ministers approved the measure on Thursday, citing inspiration from a comparable measure in Canada. The paid leave will be linked to notifications of weather or climate-related emergencies. Labor Minister Yolanda Diaz states that “the worker must refrain from going to work” if emergency authorities issue one.
Carlos Cuerpo, Minister of Economy, clarified that paid leave will be offered when civil protection agencies advise people to remain at home and when they are unable to work remotely. According to Euro News, businesses will also have to implement risk prevention strategies for severe weather under the new regulations. Ms. Díaz stated in an interview that “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.”. Therefore, we are requiring Spanish companies to have action plans within a year. According to The Guardian, several businesses faced criticism for telling workers to report to work in October. Despite a red alert issued by the National Weather Service, there were 29 floods. Read more about Spain. ().
