Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) visited workers on the D2 highway, who are currently working in extreme conditions. The Prime Minister pointed out that Slovakia is a country where a high proportion of work is done at night, there is a lot of overtime, and in this period it is also becoming a country with extreme working conditions.
“I made several visits to workplaces in extreme conditions. I experienced an incredible winter during the construction of the bridge over the Považská Bystrica, and now we are witnessing extreme temperatures. That is why I went among the people to express their solidarity,” said the Prime Minister. At the time of his visit, the temperature was 37°C, and it wasn’t even 12:00 yet. He warned that the temperature will continue to rise.
The prime minister added that people from construction companies are on construction sites even in such heat and do demanding work. This time, the prime minister visited workers on the D2 highway who are making anti-noise barriers. The Prime Minister visited them during the lunch break, spoke to them and showed solidarity. On this occasion, he also expressed solidarity with all Slovaks who are working in such extreme conditions as today. At the same time, the Prime Minister pointed out that the legislation in Slovakia is sufficient in these cases. It allows the employer to create suitable conditions for his employees to survive the work in such challenging times. It is, for example, the drinking regime, the decision that employees come to work earlier and therefore also finish earlier, or that breaks are added. At the same time, employees must have the opportunity to rest in cooler areas. Furthermore, it is, for example, a more frequent turnover of workers.
Fico thanked all employers who follow the legislation in this regard. For those who do not create such conditions for employees, the prime minister recommends to study the legislation in order to accommodate the employees. “Working in these conditions is on the verge of heroism,” stated the Prime Minister and pointed out that the legislation states that the situation when employers have to take these measures already occurs when the temperature in the shade is 30°C. These days it will be significantly more. “I thought it was all the more right to come and not only show solidarity, but symbolically we also brought soft drinks and fruit,” added Fico.
At the same time, the Prime Minister pointed out that he is opposed to constantly increasing the retirement age. “Because if you are 63 or 64 years old and you have to jump around the construction site in this heat, I would like someone who would claim that it is so easy to try this kind of work,” concluded the Prime Minister.
