The Spanish government on Thursday, November 28, approved a “paid climate leave” policy, allowing workers to stay home during natural disasters if they are unable to travel to work.
Spain’s Minister of Labor, Yolanda Díaz, explained that the new measure is aimed at “adapting to the climate emergency” to ensure “no worker is put at risk.” According to her, if emergency services issue a warning about a natural disaster, “workers must refrain from going to work.”
The Spanish government also reminded workers that they can take advantage of reduced working hours after a four-day leave period, a mechanism that has already been in place.
Spain introduced the “paid climate leave” policy following catastrophic floods on October 29, during which several companies instructed employees to continue working.
Companies later claimed that Spanish authorities had not adequately informed them, sending disaster warnings too late.
The floods, which claimed over 200 lives in Valencia alone, were among the worst in Europe this century. Following the deadly floods, the region requested €31 billion in aid from the central government.
