Why in news?
A joint report by the World Health Organization and the World Meteorological Organization in August 2025 warned that rising temperatures are threatening the safety of billions of workers. The report noted that each 1 °C increase in the wet‑bulb globe temperature can cut labour productivity by 2–3 %. With record global heat in 2024 and 2025, the issue has become a labour rights concern as much as an environmental one.
Historical context
Heat has always affected outdoor labour, but climate change has made extreme events more frequent and prolonged. Ahmedabad’s 2013 Heat Action Plan was one of the world’s first municipal strategies to address heat stress. Since then cities in India and Bangladesh have adopted early warning systems and cool shelters. However, more than four billion people still work in agriculture, construction and other sectors exposed to high temperatures.
Impact of heat stress
- Health risks: Prolonged exposure can cause dehydration, heat stroke, kidney damage and even death. Workers may become disoriented, leading to accidents.
- Economic loss: Reduced stamina lowers output. Experts estimate that countries may lose several percent of GDP in the coming decades if heat stress is not managed.
- Social inequality: Women, migrant labourers and informal workers often lack access to shade, rest breaks and medical care. They bear the brunt of rising temperatures.
Solutions and way forward
- Heat action plans: Municipalities should issue timely warnings, open public cooling centres and coordinate ambulances during heatwaves.
- Workplace reforms: Employers must provide drinking water, shaded rest areas and mandatory breaks. Governments can set maximum working hours during extreme heat.
- Infrastructure: Planting trees, using reflective building materials and expanding green roofs can cool urban areas. Rural areas can adopt drought‑resilient crops to reduce farmers’ exposure.
- Public health measures: Training frontline health workers to recognise heat illness and educating communities about hydration and cooling techniques.
Importance
Protecting workers from extreme heat is central to sustainable development. It safeguards livelihoods, improves productivity and upholds human dignity. Addressing heat stress requires collaboration between meteorologists, labour departments, urban planners and communities. By integrating climate adaptation with labour rights, countries can ensure that rising temperatures do not undermine economic growth.