Growing impact of extreme heat on informal workers in Asia's cities
When temperatures soar across Asia's cities, informal workers face a choice: risk their health or lose their income. For many, the effects don't end when the workday is over.
Brijpal Singh, a construction worker in Noida, India, endures blistering heat for long hours on construction sites. Unable to afford missing a day's work, Singh sacrifices his health to support his family. Across the Delhi region, 5 million informal workers make up 80% of the workforce, facing the brunt of rising temperatures. A study estimates climate change costs informal workers up to $80 billion annually.
As temperatures increase, workers report taking longer to complete tasks and experiencing health issues like respiratory problems, gastrointestinal illnesses, stroke, and kidney disease. Inadequate cooling options and power cuts exacerbate the situation, making it difficult for workers to recover. Women in the informal economy, who often combine paid work with unpaid caregiving, bear a disproportionate burden during heat waves, further straining their families' finances.
Written by urgent.news from DW News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
