Construction Halts at 33 Degrees: IG BAU Advocates for Defined Temperature Threshold
In the current heat wave sweeping across the region, concerns about worker safety in outdoor work, particularly in the construction sector, are on the rise. The German construction trade union, IG BAU, has renewed its proposal for the application of a seasonal short-time work allowance throughout the year to protect workers from heat-related illnesses.
As of August 2025, there is no specific, publicly available policy or regulation detailing a seasonal short-time work allowance for construction workers during hot weather in Germany. The legal maximum working hours in Germany are generally 8 hours per day, extendable to 10 hours if an average over six months does not exceed 8 hours per day[1]. The national minimum wage is set at EUR 12.82 per hour in 2025, but no specific allowances like seasonal short-time work due to heat are mentioned[2].
Short-time work (Kurzarbeit) schemes do exist in Germany but are typically linked to economic downturns or business reductions rather than weather-related adjustments; none of the documents mention a special seasonal scheme tied to heat for construction workers[3]. Similarly, no official tax or benefit provisions specifically relating to seasonal allowances for construction workers during hot weather appear in the materials.
If implemented, employees would be entitled to short-time work allowance during hot weather. IG BAU's proposal aims to provide additional financial support to employees during such conditions. The union has reiterated that sunscreen, water, and breaks are insufficient in extreme heat, and the suspension of work on construction sites is a preventative measure to protect workers from heat-related illnesses[4].
IG BAU's demand for the suspension of work on construction sites is due to the current heat wave. The thermometer should not exceed 33 degrees Celsius for outdoor work to continue, according to IG BAU[5]. This proposal was first made by IG BAU and has been reported by the news source ZDFheute.
It is worth noting that if there is any seasonal short-time work allowance specifically for hot weather in the construction sector, it may be governed by collective agreements (Tarifverträge) between unions and employers or by company-level policies, which are not detailed in the search results.
In practice, construction work in extreme heat may be regulated by occupational health and safety standards to prevent heat stress, potentially influencing work hours and breaks but not necessarily allowing for a formal seasonal short-time allowance. Workers might receive compensations or adjustments through union agreements or company arrangements, but these are not codified as national policy.
For precise, up-to-date information on this topic, consultation with the German construction trade unions (e.g., IG BAU) or the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, or reviewing collective labor agreements relevant to construction for 2025 would be recommended.
[1] https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/arbgg/ [2] https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/themen/arbeit-und-soziales/lohngeld-und-mindestlohn-1662324 [3] https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bgg/ [4] https://www.zdf.de/nachrichten/deutschland/heatwave-bauarbeiten-in-extremem-hitze-gefaehrlich-100.html [5] https://www.zdf.de/nachrichten/deutschland/heatwave-bauarbeiten-in-extremem-hitze-gefaehrlich-100.html
