About 18 thousand 970 working people die every year due to excess heat in the world. This information was revealed in a global report published by the International Labor Organization (ILO) on Monday.
This calculation is presented on the basis of 2020 data. According to the report, nearly 35 percent more workers are at risk from excessive heat in 2020 than in 2000. The report suggested that this number has increased due to the increase in temperature and labor force.
According to the report, health risks due to climate change are seen in all regions of the world. Out of the 3.4 billion labor force, 2.4 billion people are exposed to excess heat in some way. That means more than 70 percent of the global workforce is exposed to excess heat.
The report highlights health risks to workers in six areas—excess heat, ultraviolet radiation, extreme weather, workplace air pollution, parasitic-bacterial-viral-borne diseases, and agrochemicals. It is said that in addition to excessive heat, extreme weather conditions such as floods and droughts are increasing depression, anxiety, suicidal tendencies among all age groups, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or trauma-related anxiety and drug addiction in some countries including Bangladesh. Emergency workers, health workers, fire service workers, fishermen, agricultural and construction workers are also exposed to fragile mental states during disasters.
According to the report, existing occupational safety and health protection is not enough to deal with the health risks caused by climate change. Many countries recognize diseases caused by heat as ‘occupational diseases’. Workers in the informal sector are the worst at risk. Despite the risks, they also work overtime for financial reasons.
Referring to the report, Manal Aji, head of the ILO’s Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) team, said it is now clear that climate change is significantly increasing health risks for workers. These risks need to be addressed. Occupational safety and health protection must be included in policy-making and action to combat the effects of climate change.
