The Council of Ministers has approved the 2026 summer plan, which intensifies the monitoring of workplace safety in the face of high temperatures and strengthens the control of hiring in sectors with greater seasonal activity. The measure particularly affects agriculture, construction, hospitality and commerce, sectors where the risk of heat and irregular employment increase during these months.
What has the Government approved?
The Executive has launched the planned actions for the summer period, which combine two fronts: protecting the health of workers from the heat and controlling the hiring conditions in sectors with the greatest migratory and seasonal movement.
To this end, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (INSST) is launching an information campaign aimed at companies and workers with specific guidelines for dealing with high temperatures. At the same time, the Labor and Social Security Inspectorate (ITSS) is carrying out specific monitoring campaigns, coordinated with the regional governments.
Sectors under increased surveillance
Supervision focuses on the activities most exposed to heat:
- Field, due to the increase in agricultural activity typical of summer
- Construction
- Other sectors where working conditions are particularly affected by high temperatures
The Inspection, moreover, It will prioritize actions stemming from complaints of heat stressThis speeds up the response to risk situations reported by the workers themselves.
Direct communications to companies
The Labor and Social Security Inspectorate (ITSS) is already sending electronic notices to companies in various sectors reminding them of current regulations and mandatory heat protection measures. These communications also include technical materials prepared by the National Institute for Safety and Health at Work (INSST) on preventing risks arising from climate change.
What companies should keep in mind
The provisions of the Royal Decree-Law 8/2024which obliges companies to:
- Apply specific action protocols in the event of high temperatures
- Recognize the paid leave of four days when it is impossible to access the workplace due to extreme heat
Failure to adapt the activity to these requirements may result in liability before the Inspection, especially in sectors already designated as priorities.
Strengthening of immigration and labor controls
The summer plan also focuses on monitoring compliance with social security registration and contribution obligations, as well as the hiring of foreign workers, in sectors with the greatest seasonal increase in activity: agriculture, hospitality and commerce.
In this area, the Inspection acts in a coordinated manner with the State Security Forces and Corps, under the direction of Europol, in the fight against labor exploitation and trafficking in persons for labor purposes.
What does this mean in practice?
For businessesReview and document heat protocols, ensure proper registration and pricing of personnel, and pay special attention if operating in the field, construction, hospitality or retail.
For the self-employed with employees: the same preventive and contribution obligations apply, with special relevance in agricultural holdings and hospitality businesses.
For workers: to know that there is a way to report heat stress and that it will be given priority, in addition to the right to four days of paid leave if temperatures prevent access to the workplace.
Does your company comply with heat-related protocols, or do you have questions about your employees' social security contributions? Our consultancy in Cieza can review your situation and help you avoid penalties. Contact us for a free consultation.
English 
Spanish