Workers from Arab, Asia & Pacific facing increased heat stress, ILO report finds
A new report from the International Labour Organization (ILO), Heat at Work: Implications for Safety and Health, reveals that workers worldwide are increasingly exposed to dangerous heat stress. This silent and invisible threat can cause severe health issues, including heatstroke and long-term heart, lung, and kidney problems.
Regions like Africa, the Arab states, and Asia and the Pacific are the most affected, with significant percentages of their workforce exposed to excessive heat. Europe and Central Asia, though historically cooler, have seen the fastest increase in heat exposure and related injuries.
The report highlights that heat stress is a year-round issue, not just during heatwaves, causing widespread health and economic impacts. In 2020 alone, heatwaves claimed 4,200 lives and affected 231 million workers globally.
The ILO emphasizes the need for comprehensive heat action plans and stronger legislation to protect workers, particularly in low- and middle-income economies, which bear the heaviest burden. The report underscores that addressing this issue is critical for worker safety, human rights, and economic stability.
Read More: https://www.ilo.org/resource/news/more-workers-ever-are-losing-fight-against-heat-stress
