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- The International Labour Organization (ILO) has released a report titled ‘Working on a Warmer Planet: The Impact of Heat Stress on Labour Productivity and Decent Work’.
- The report highlights how working hours will be lost because it is too hot to work or because workers work at a slower pace.
- The projections are based on a global temperature rise of 1.5 degree Celsius by the end of the twenty-first century, and labour force trends.
- 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.
- According to the report, in 2030, 2.2 per cent of total working hours worldwide will be lost to high temperatures. It will be a productivity loss equivalent to 80 million full-time job.
- The report has said that the accumulated global financial loss due to heat stress is expected to reach USD 2,400 billion by 2030.
- Globally, the two sectors projected to be hit worst are agriculture and construction, with agriculture worse affected.
- The report notes that the impact of heat stress on labour productivity will be pronounced in countries and Southern Asia and up to 5.3% of total working hours (the equivalent of 43 million full-time jobs) are projected to be lost.
- The report has said that the country most affected by heat stress is India. India lost 4.3% of working hours in 1995 and is projected to lose 5.8% of working hours in 2030.
- It further said that because of its large population, in absolute terms, India is expected to lose the equivalent of 34 million full-time jobs in 2030 in productivity.
- Most of the impact in India will be felt in the agriculture sector. But, increasing working hours are expected to be lost in the construction sector, where heat stress affects both male and female workers.



