Work in open air to be stopped in Azerbaijan in case temperature rises above 41 degrees Celsius

"If air temperature exceeds 41 degrees Celsius, all types of work in the open air will be stopped,” chief labor inspector at the State Labor Inspectorate at Azerbaijan Ministry of Labor and Social Protection Telman Guliyev said.

“Any work outdoors in temperatures above 41 degrees is prohibited. In such weather, employers must create all necessary conditions to ensure that workers do not suffer from sunstroke,” Guliyev added.

Employees of the State Labour Inspectorate conduct raids to curb exploitation of a labor force at a temperature above 41 degrees, he noted.

"Just a few days ago, employees of the Inspectorate conducted raids in Baku which revealed no such cases. The raids will continue throughout the summer if the temperature rises above 41 degrees. If we find out such facts, we instruct to stop the work immediately. In repeated cases, employers are made accountable in an administrative manner,” Guliyev said.  

On his part, Chairman of the League for Protection of Citizens’ Labor Rights Sahib Mammadov said, under labor laws, if it is impossible to stop work at a temperature above 41 degrees Celsius, an employer must take additional measures.

"A employer should reduce working hours, to announce more breaks, to provide workers with special sun hats and beverages.”

According to Mammadov, one can still see people working under scorching sun in some places in Baku.

"In order to quench their thirst, they have to buy soft drinks themselves. But it is employers who should do it. Despite the ban, employers use labor in this heat," Mammadov underscored.

 As many as 55 people have suffered sunstroke in Baku since the onset of summer.

12-year-old boy died of sunstroke in Azerbaijan’s southern Masalli region a few days ago.


/Day.Az/