"Spain’s new ‘climate leave’ gives workers four days off during extreme weather," 29 November 2024.

The law on paid leave protects the rights of workers not to go to work in the event of catastrophes or climate related weather alerts that could put them in danger.

Workers in Spain will be given up to four days of paid leave if they are unable to get to their workplace due to extreme weather.

The country’s Council of Ministers approved the new ‘climate leave’ on Thursday in the hope of ensuring citizen’s safety when there is a serious and imminent risk...

The law on paid leave protects the rights of workers not to go to work in the event of catastrophes or climate-related weather alerts that could put them in danger.

Climate leave, inspired by similar legislation in Canada, will be based on alerts about climate or meteorological disasters from authorities.

The new measures are expected to come into force on Friday 29 November....

Unprecedented flash flooding in the Valencia region killed more than 200 people this autumn and left many more without access to essentials like clean running water and food. A number of companies were criticised for forcing employees to keep working during the catastrophe...

The new law to protect workers was approved alongside a €2.3 billion package of further aid for those affected by the tragedy.

If people are told to stay at home by civil protection agencies and can’t get to work safely, they will now be able to take four days of paid leave. Officials also stressed that the law will protect workers if companies decide to deny the permits.

Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Labour and Social Economy, ...explained that the permits will mean that “for the first time” Spain will have “genuine climate leave”...

The rules adopted on Thursday also mean companies will need to have risk prevention measures specifically for disasters and adverse weather events. Workers have been given the right to be informed about what these actions will be when a disaster alert is activated...