Working in Extreme Heat: Without Contracts or Protection

Millions of workers in Asia, particularly those in the informal economy, are confronting a dangerous dilemma as extreme heatwaves become more frequent and intense. They must choose between enduring perilous working conditions under scorching sun or forfeiting essential income to support their families.

Bridjpal Singh, a construction worker in Noida, India, exemplifies this struggle. Even when temperatures exceed 45 degrees Celsius (113 Fahrenheit), work rarely stops. Singh describes experiencing rapid heart rate, dizziness, dehydration, and exhaustion after long shifts in the heat. However, taking a day off is a luxury he cannot afford, as it means losing his daily wage of 500 to 600 rupees (approximately $6-$7), which is crucial for his wife and three children.

An estimated five million people work in the informal economy in the greater Delhi area, representing about 80% of the total workforce. These individuals lack stable employment and full labor protections. As climate change drives temperatures higher, many daily wage earners are caught between the need to provide for their families and the imperative to protect their own health.

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There are days when I don't feel like working at all. But if I miss one day, who will take care of my children and pay their expenses?

Research indicates that the last decade has been the hottest on record in India, with heatwaves becoming more severe. This heat not only threatens health but also diminishes productivity and increases illness. A study highlighted that rising temperatures cost the informal economy in India around 2% of its GDP annually, nearly $80 billion. Amina Kidwai, a researcher at People's Courage International, warns that earnings losses will escalate as temperatures continue to climb, forcing workers to spend more time on tasks that previously took less time due to the need to slow down and mitigate heat's effects.

Workers report a range of health issues, including respiratory and stomach ailments, heatstroke, and kidney problems, leading to increased spending on medication and healthcare. A key characteristic of life for these workers in heat-affected cities is the inability to recover adequately, a challenge that persists even after the workday ends.

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Earnings losses will be greater as temperatures continue to rise. Workers today have to spend much more time on the job than before to complete the same amount of work.