As a punishing heatwave grips France, the government is turning to Greece, Spain, Italy and Portugal for a blueprint on protecting workers, with Labour Minister Jean-Pierre Farandou declaring that France must urgently borrow the survival habits of Mediterranean nations long accustomed to extreme summer heat.
Speaking on RTL Matin, Mr. Farandou said he is launching a formal review with social partners to redesign working hours, equipment mandates and broader cultural habits as climate change pushes French summers closer to southern European norms.
France already operates a tiered yellow, orange and red alert system that legally requires companies to adjust working conditions, particularly for outdoor construction crews. Mr. Farandou said he has expanded state inspections to enforce compliance, but argued the response must extend beyond the workplace to reshape wider societal patterns.
"Our temperatures are beginning to align with the climate of southern Europe," Mr. Farandou said. "These countries are culturally accustomed to living in the heat. We must be inspired by their methods."
The minister suggested upcoming reforms could challenge long-standing French traditions, questioning whether national school exams and major sporting finals should still be scheduled during peak June heat.
He confirmed bilateral talks are underway with his Spanish counterpart to study Madrid's regulatory approach in detail.
Pressed on dress codes, Mr. Farandou said workplace norms should loosen to fit the climate, suggesting employees be allowed to wear shorts to the office — provided they are "well-tailored."
Alexis Panousis