On July 16, 2022, we learned of the unfortunate news of the death of a sixty-year-old worker, after a heat stroke caused him to collapse in the street, early in the afternoon and at more than 40 ºC of temperature, this being the cause of his death. His name was José Antonio González, he had a one-month contract with one of the companies with which the Madrid City Council has privatized the cleaning service.
When a company and an administration allow a sixty-year-old worker to work in the full sun, in the middle of a heat wave, in the hottest hours of the day, and at more than 40 ºC, and in a polyester uniform, we cannot speak under any concept of a work accident, this has another name and that is why the company where the deceased worked has not said a word.
The statements of certain political officials are disappointing, who instead of being self-critical and looking for solutions so that events like this do not happen again, dedicate themselves to washing their hands and looking the other way. The mayor of Madrid admitted to not knowing the conditions in which these employees worked. The dereliction of duties on the part of the City Council is evident and the way in which, despite that, it shakes off responsibilities is outrageous.
But also the Minister of Labor, Yolanda Díaz, in which she blames the death of this worker on climate change and the climate crisis that derives from it. Diverting the focus from the clear responsibility of the Cleaning company, which did not put any prior measures in place in terms of occupational risk prevention, given the heat wave we are going through. And that would consist of changing garbage collection schedules and increasing the staff given the working conditions.
We are very clear that climate change is affecting our lives. Drastic changes are necessary in our productive model and our way of life to try to stop the consequences of the increase in temperature on Earth, which sooner rather than later leads us to collapse. But washing their hands and making excuses for not assuming responsibilities in the face of such a serious event is at the very least reprehensible.
This worker did not die because of climate change, he died because the company where he worked (Urbaser) allowed a sixty-year-old man to work at more than 40 ºC. He died because an administration (Madrid City Council) allows the company with which it privatized this service to have the staff working in those conditions. He died because the local, regional and state governments are incapable of approving measures to avoid these situations, and only dedicate themselves to launching recommendations and guides of good practices.
An essential service is left in the hands of private companies, whose first and last purpose is to enrich themselves, and once again these companies put profits before the lives of workers, as in the case of the death of this worker.
We must fight to prevent these events from happening again. We must regulate the harsh working conditions outdoors due to the increase in temperatures. How many more people have to die for something to be done? A rigorous investigation must be opened by the Justice on this case. It is evident that the occupational risk prevention protocols for high temperatures have not been complied with.
*Manuel Plasencia, member of the company committee of Canal Gestión representing the General Confederation of Labor (CGT).
