ILO Warns of Growing Heat Crisis in Workplaces Worldwide
The International Labour Organization (ILO) has sounded the alarm on a growing global issue: excessive heat in the workplace. Six countries have been identified where at least 70% of workers are affected, with low-income and migrant workers bearing the brunt. Heatwaves are not just a climate concern, but a pressing labour rights issue.
The ILO reports that 70% of the world's 3.4 billion workers are exposed to excessive heat, with regions like Africa, West Asia, and the Asia-Pacific most at risk. In South Korea, heatwaves disproportionately impact non-skilled, low-income workers, exacerbating social inequalities. Japan, with 29% of its population over 65, has seen a rise in occupational heatstroke and dehydration-related heart disease.
Heat-related impacts have been evident among migrant workers in Qatar and sugar cane cutters in Central America. India's 139 million migrant workers face alarming heat stress and psycho-social tolls, while an estimated 150 million cross-border migrant workers globally seek better income opportunities abroad, often in vulnerable conditions. Labour hire agencies play a significant role in supplying migrant workers to potentially hazardous environments in high-income countries.
To tackle this issue, Singapore has implemented a heat stress framework protecting outdoor workers, including gig economy workers. A Southeast Asia hub of the Global Heat Health Information Network has been established to raise awareness and protect workers from heat stress. The ILO's findings underscore the urgent need for global cooperation and policy reforms to ensure safe and fair working conditions for all, regardless of their nationality or skill level.
