Intense Heat Threatens Worker Well-being and Efficiency, According to the United Nations
The International Labour Organization (ILO) has published a significant update on the impact of climate change on the workforce, the first major update since 1969. The study, jointly conducted with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), provides comprehensive evidence on the effects of global warming on workers.
According to the report, more than 2.4 billion workers worldwide are exposed to workplace heat stress, a condition that is causing worsening risks to workers' productivity and health. In fact, about 30% of those working under such conditions have reported reduced productivity.
Rüdiger Krech, WHO's director of environment, climate change and health, has emphasized that extreme heat is a public health crisis and is already harming the health and livelihoods of billions of workers globally. He further stated that no one should have to risk kidney failure or collapse just to earn a living.
The study reveals that kidney problems are common among 15% of people who work under heat stress for six or more hours every day, five days a week, for at least two months. In 2020, there were approximately 26.2 million individuals living with chronic kidney disease attributable to workplace heat stress, according to the report.
Workers in agriculture, construction, and other physically demanding sectors are especially at risk. More than a third of people who frequently work in hot temperatures experience physiological heat strain, which is associated with conditions including impaired kidney function, dehydration, and neurological dysfunction.
Vulnerable communities with limited access to cooling, healthcare, and protective labor policies are highlighted as being at increased risk. This is particularly true for lesser-developed populations, where the lack of resources exacerbates the effects of heat stress on workers.
The first prime minister of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew, famously considered air conditioning to be the best invention of the 20th century, as it boosted worker productivity. However, the report indicates that for every degree above 20C (68F), worker productivity drops between 2% and 3%.
Krech underscored the urgency of addressing these issues, stating that it is crucial to ensure that workers have the resources they need to stay safe and productive in the face of climate change. The study serves as a call to action for policymakers, employers, and communities to take action to protect workers from the harmful effects of heat stress.
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