Will the workplaces be closed on extreme heat days?

Photo: AA

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There will be high air temperatures across Turkey this week according to the reports of the General Directorate of Meteorology, and the old, the children, and those with chronic illnesses are advised to be cautious and take measures against heat strokes, especially between 11:00 am and 04:00 pm. 

Ahead of the expected extreme heat days, the Worker's Party of Turkey (TİP) Chairperson Erkan Baş submitted a parliamentary question requesting Vedat Işıkhan, the Minister of Labor and Social Security to respond to, related to the conditions of the workers working at high temperatures. 

Baş asked if the workplaces will be closed in order to protect workers' health and reduce their life-threatening risks.

"It is expected that the air temperature will rise above 40 degrees in some provinces, with the heat wave approaching our country. This causes the risk that the temperature will rise above 50 degrees in some workplaces," reminded Baş the minister.

The party leader raised the following questions:

* Are any audits being carried out to check the ventilation and air-conditioning equipment that has to be in place at the workplaces in order to protect the employees from extreme heat? Which measures are being taken for the workplaces that do not comply with the regulations?

*Is there any regulation made, or any instruction given to close workplaces where the temperature rises over a certain limit?

* Is there any regulation made in order to ensure that more breaks will be given and that the workers will be provided free water and other beverages during the breaks in the workplaces where the employees have to work under high temperatures?

* Will the workplaces be closed in order to protect workers' health and reduce their life-threatening risks considering the heat wave that is approaching our country this week? (TY/PE)