ILO Report: Majority of Global Workers Face Rising Heat Risks

• 23 Apr 2024

On 22nd April 2024, ILO report revealed that there was a rising heat exposure risk for workers globally, with over 70% affected, highlighting concerns for health and safety amid climate change.

Key Points

• Increasing Heat Exposure: ILO report showed a 34.7% increase in heat exposure estimates over 20 years, affecting over 70% of workers globally, posing health risks.
• Impact on Health: In hot regions like India, heavy manual labourers face epidemics of CKDu, emphasizing the health consequences of excessive heat exposure.
• Ministry Advisory: Union Ministry of Labour issues advisory to states/union territories to protect workers from heat waves, emphasizing measures like water availability and rescheduling working hours.
• Occupational Injuries: Each year, millions suffer occupational injuries, deaths, and disability due to excessive heat, highlighting the urgent need for protective measures.
• Evolution of Risks: ILO warns of evolving and intensifying climate change hazards, necessitating re-evaluation of legislation and extra protections for vulnerable worker populations.
• Health Risks: Around 1.6 billion workers face increased risk of UV radiation exposure, leading to skin cancer deaths, while millions suffer from other occupational hazards.
• Impact on Employment: Climate change poses risks to employment, including job losses, decreased productivity, and damage to business assets, impacting various sectors and ecosystems.