Why in news?
The report “Working on a warmer planet: The impact of heat stress on labour productivity and decent work” was released by International Labour Organisation (ILO).
What does the report say?
- In 2030, 2.2% of total working hours worldwide will be lost because of higher temperatures.
- The global productivity losses would be around 80 million full-time jobs (equivalent to economic loss of US$ 2,400 billion).
- The projection of 34 million jobs losses in India would make it the worst affected.
- A third of the southern Asian countries have already incurred losses greater than 4%
- This is a conservative estimate, assuming that the global mean temperature does not rise more than 1.5°C
How it was worked out?
- The report defines heat stress as heat in excess of what the body can tolerate without suffering physiological impairment.
- It generally occurs at temperatures above 35°C, in high humidity.
- Excess heat during work is an occupational health risk and restricts workers’ physical functions and capabilities, work capacity and thus, productivity.
- Assumptions and basis for the projections are,
- Global temperature rise of 1.5°C by the end of the century,
- Labour force trends.
What are the projections for India?
- India to lose the most working hours is southern Asia in 2030.
- It lost 4.3% of working hours in 1995 because of heat stress.
- It is projected to lose 5.8% of its working hours in 2030, which corresponds to 34 million jobs.
- The report projects losses in working hours as
- 9.04% in agriculture (in shade),
- 5.29% in manufacturing,
- 9.04% in construction, and
- 1.48% in services.
- Most of the impact will be felt in the agricultural sector.
- More working hours are expected to be lost in the construction sector (where heat stress affects both male and female workers).
- Most areas have drought like conditions so there will be more migration of agricultural workers to urban areas – usually to work in the construction sector.
- There has been no direct job loss at present, with distressed workers switching from one vulnerable sector to another.
What is the bigger picture?
- Globally, the two sectors projected to be hit worst are agriculture and construction, with agriculture worse affected.
- In agriculture – 60% of working hours will be lost due to heat stress by 2030.
- In construction – 19% of global working hours to be lost.
- More inequality between low and high income countries to be seen.
- There will be worsening working conditions for the most vulnerable, as well as displacement of people.
- To adapt to this new reality appropriate measures by governments, employers and workers, focusing on protecting the most vulnerable, are urgently needed.
Source: The Indian Express
Quick Facts
International Labour Organisation (ILO)
- Found in:1919
- Headquarter: Geneva, Switzerland.
- It became U.N. first specialised agency in 1946.
- It is the only tripartite U.N. agency that brings together governments, employers and workers of 187 member States.
- It sets labour standards, develops policies and devises programmes promoting decent work for all women and men.
