British holidaymakers heading to Spain could see new rules in place, with hefty fines of up to £40,000 for establishments that fail to comply. Holidaymakers could find their favourite bar terraces closed as bars and restaurants have been given new obligations to protect staff from extreme heat. The new rules have the potential to suspend outdoor service when conditions become unsafe.
New labour agreement
The changes have come into force following an amendment to Spain's VI National Labour Agreement for the Hospitality Sector, known as ALEH. The agreement was signed in April by unions FeSMC-UGT and CCOO Servicios and employers' organisations Hostelería de España and CEHAT.
In Spain, temperatures can exceed 40C during heatwaves and thousands of hospitality workers spend extended periods serving customers outdoors. Hefty fines of £40,000 could be given to those who ignore the rules.
No automatic closures
However, the new rules do not mean that every Spanish terrace must automatically close whenever a heatwave occurs. Tourinews reported that Hostelería de España had stressed: "The text does not establish an automatic closure of terraces."
Venues are expected to assess the risks and put practical measures in place to protect staff. This could include providing shade and cooling facilities, adjusting shifts to avoid the hottest periods, rotating staff, reducing time spent outdoors, or temporarily restricting certain outdoor tasks.
If these measures are not enough to make conditions safe, outdoor operations may need to be suspended until the risk has reduced.
Impact on holidaymakers
The new rules could impact those wishing to sit outside with a much needed cold drink or meal during the hottest part of the day. A terrace without adequate protection could be shut during an extreme heatwave or the warmest parts of the day, while the establishment continues serving customers indoors.
The new agreement specifically requires businesses to incorporate risks from adverse weather and natural disasters into their occupational risk prevention measures. Official weather warnings may cause establishments to adjust opening arrangements or close the outside areas.
Employers who fail to adequately protect their staff can face enforcement action from Spain's Labour Inspectorate. Spanish newspaper Diario de Avisos has previously reported that fines could reach €50,000 (£40,000) where workers are required to remain outdoors during severe weather alerts without adequate protection.
Spain is bracing for another blistering heatwave this week, with Cordoba forecast to reach a scorching 42C and widespread highs of around 40C in some inland areas. Spanish forecaster Aemet says that areas in Spain including Cordoba (42C), Sevilla (40C), Granada (39C), and Madrid (39C) will all see temperatures around the 40C mark on tomorrow, August 13, while other tourist hotspots including Barcelona, Malaga and Alicante are all forecast to be in the low-to-mid 30s in the coming days.
