Extreme weather, harmful chemicals escalating health risks among food workers, finds global report
Many farmworkers lack basic protection from extreme weather, including access to shade, rest breaks and drinking water, the report notes, adding that international labour standards are often ignored, while weak enforcement leaves workers exposed to dangerous conditions
A global report released on October 5 reveals that extreme weather and harmful chemicals are increasingly endangering the health of food workers worldwide. Agriculture, a dangerous sector accounting for one-third of all occupational deaths globally, faces heightened risks due to climate change. Workers are exposed to extreme heat, toxic wildfire smoke, and hazardous pesticide exposure, with poverty wages and inadequate labor protections leaving many vulnerable.
Kerala, particularly the Palakkad region, is experiencing rising temperatures and water shortages, while Kuttanad is prone to flooding and the Kole wetlands in Thrissur are exposed to unseasonal rainfall. Climate-resilient rice varieties, improved irrigation systems, and timely harvesting are essential to safeguarding crop yields and farmers' livelihoods.
The report highlights the exploitation of food workers, who are often subjected to dangerous conditions without adequate protection. Mamadou Goïta, an IPES-Food panel expert, emphasizes that climate change is turning into a workers' rights crisis, amplifying the challenges they already face due to poverty wages and grueling working conditions.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu Health's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
