Impact of Heat Stress on Labour Force

GS3 – Environment – Climate Change

Context 

Rising heat stress is negatively impacting labour efficiency and productivity, leading to significant economic setbacks, particularly in Asia and the Pacific. Workers, especially those in low-income jobs, are highly vulnerable as financial needs prevent them from taking breaks during extreme heat.

• According to the ILO (2019), global productivity losses could reach 2.2% of total working hours, resulting in an estimated economic hit of USD 2,400 billion by 2030.
• ILO’s 2024 report highlights that 2.41 billion workers globally are at risk due to exposure to extreme heat.

Consequences of Heat Stress

• Health-related impacts:
  Includes serious conditions such as heat strokes, cramps, cardiovascular issues, acute kidney damage, physical injuries, and complications during pregnancy.
• Threat to food security:
  Reduced working capacity and productivity, particularly among small-scale and subsistence farmers, hampers agricultural output and food availability.
• Gender-based challenges:
  Women, especially those involved in subsistence farming, face worsened working environments, exacerbating gender inequalities.
• Regional imbalances:
  The severity of heat stress varies across different regions and disproportionately affects certain groups based on geography and gender.

India-Specific Impacts

• Reduced working hours:
  India could witness a decline of over 5% in total working hours by 2030 due to extreme heat (ILO-2024).
• Heat wave exposure:
  Between 160 to 200 million people in India could be exposed to potentially fatal heatwaves annually by 2030 (ILO-2024).
• Job losses:
  Close to 34 million jobs may be lost due to declining productivity. For instance, research in West Bengal observed a 2% drop in productivity among female brick kiln workers for every 1°C rise in temperature.
• Health issues:
  Migrant workers engaged in physically intense and unsafe jobs are particularly susceptible to heat-induced health risks.

Way Forward

Develop and roll out localized Heat Action Plans to prepare communities for rising temperatures.
Enhance adaptation and mitigation strategies across global, national, and workplace levels. Initiatives like Telangana’s large-scale afforestation help combat urban heat island effects.
Improve enforcement of international labour standards to ensure workplace safety and build support infrastructure for migrant workers.
Encourage green employment opportunities (e.g., solar panel technicians, recycling plant operators), which contribute to both economic resilience and environmental sustainability.