Workers in Africa, Arab States, and Asia Are Most at Risk of Heat Stress, ILO reports

The International Labour Organization (ILO) has warned that workers in Africa, the Arab States, and the Asia-Pacific regions are particularly vulnerable to extreme heat. About 92.9%, 83.6%, and 74.7% of the workforce in these areas, respectively, are affected by heat stress, highlighting the urgent need for year-round protection measures against its hazards.

This information is derived from a recent ILO report titled “Heat at Work: Implications for Safety and Health,” which concludes that extreme heat poses an increasing threat to the health and lives of many workers globally. Heat stress can lead to heart, lung, and kidney diseases among workers.

The report underscores a growing number of workers experiencing heat stress worldwide and emphasizes that regions not previously accustomed to severe heat will face escalating risks. Conversely, workers in traditionally hot climates will encounter more dangerous conditions than ever before.

The document reiterates that workers in Africa, the Arab States, and the Asia-Pacific are most exposed to excessive heat, with 92.9%, 83.6%, and 74.7% of the workforce in these regions, respectively, being impacted by heat stress. These figures surpass the global average of 71%, according to the latest data available from 2022.

Moreover, the report highlights that working conditions are changing most rapidly in Europe and Central Asia. Between 2000 and 2020, these regions recorded the largest increase in exposure to extreme heat, with the number of affected workers rising by 17.3%, nearly double the global average increase.

The Americas, Europe, and Central Asia have seen the highest rise in work-related injuries caused by heat stress since 2000, with increases of 33.3% and 16.4%, respectively. This may be attributed to rising temperatures in regions where workers are not accustomed to the heat, the report adds.

The report estimates that 4,200 workers globally lost their lives due to heatwaves in 2020.

“As the world continues to grapple with rising temperatures, we must protect workers from heat stress year-round. Excessive heat is creating unprecedented challenges for workers worldwide year-round, and not only during periods of intense heatwaves.” said ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres added, “If there is one thing that unites our divided world, it’s that we’re all increasingly feeling the heat. Earth is becoming hotter and more dangerous for everyone, everywhere.. Heat stress at work is projected to cost the global economy $2.4 trillion by 2030. Up from $280 billion in the mid-1990s. We need measures to protect workers, grounded in human rights.”

The report also addresses legislative measures in 21 countries worldwide to identify common features that could guide the development of effective thermal safety plans in workplaces. It outlines key concepts of a safety and health management system aimed at protecting workers from heat-related illnesses and injuries.

These findings build on a previous report published last April, which indicated that climate change is creating a mix of serious health risks, with approximately 2.4 billion workers exposed to excessive heat. This alone leads to 22.85 million occupational injuries and the loss of 18,970 lives annually.