At the initiative of the Left Party (Déi Lénk), the Chamber of Deputies held a debate on Thursday morning to discuss the impact of climate change on working conditions.
MPs agreed that existing frameworks for employee protection must be updated to address the growing health risks posed by rising temperatures and extreme weather events.
One of the key concerns highlighted during the debate was the increasing frequency and intensity of heat waves, which are expected to worsen in the coming decades. These changes, MPs noted, will have significant repercussions on air quality and workplace safety, particularly for those working outdoors.
“It is the professional groups who work outdoors who will suffer the most,” said MP Georges Engel of the Luxembourg Socialist Workers’ Party (LSAP). Engel emphasised the need to question the health and moral implications of requiring people to work in extreme heat. He pointed to the construction sector as an example, where prolonged heat waves, flooding risks, and extreme weather conditions are making work environments increasingly hazardous.
Engel warned that rising temperatures could lead to concentration difficulties, increasing the likelihood of workplace accidents. “Cases of job loss, accidents, and short-time working will rise,” he said, underscoring the urgent need for adaptation.
Minister of Labour Georges Mischo echoed these concerns, stressing that health and safety authorities must take a proactive approach, particularly in terms of prevention. He emphasised the importance of collaboration with the Inspectorate of Labour and Mines (ITM) and other relevant bodies to implement necessary changes.
The ITM, Mischo noted, will play a crucial role in ensuring workplaces are adequately adapted to climate change. This includes strengthening prevention measures and providing sufficient training to mitigate risks. The majority of MPs agreed on the need for these efforts.
