Overview

• Barcelona City Council opened an informative file into Montse Aguilar’s death and requested detailed reports from cleaning firms, labor-risk departments and unions.
• The council’s revised heatwave protocols mandate a five-minute break each hour once temperatures reach 34°C and suspend foot-based cleaning services between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. when the mercury tops 40°C.
• Junts, BComú, ERC, PP and Vox argue the new measures fall short and continue to press for Mayor Jaume Collboni to testify before the special commission.
• Opposition figures and union representatives have pointed to inadequate oversight of private contractors, insufficient training and inappropriate polyester work attire.
• The incident highlights gaps in Barcelona’s readiness for escalating heatwaves and raises questions about the city’s climate-driven public-service protections.