{
  "id": 17315918,
  "title": "ILO: Heat stress could cost Sri Lanka, Maldives 147,000 jobs by 2040",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/31/ilo-heat-stress-could-cost-sri-lanka-maldives-147-000-jobs-by-2040",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-31T00:01:24.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Island Sri Lanka",
    "slug": "the-island-sri-lanka",
    "url": "http://island.lk/ilo-heat-stress-could-cost-sri-lanka-maldives-147000-jobs-by-2040/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The International Labour Organization (ILO) has issued a warning about the potential impact of heat stress on the economies and employment of Sri Lanka and the Maldives, projecting that by 2040, rising temperatures could result in the loss of around 147,000 full-time jobs in the two nations. Even under a low-emissions scenario, the economic consequences are expected to be significant, with combined annual GDP losses amounting to approximately USD26.6 billion by 2040, including about USD26 billion in Sri Lanka and USD576 million in the Maldives, compared to historical levels. Although heat stress is primarily anticipated to be a future risk, the ILO's research indicates that in 2023, rising workplace heat stress caused by climate change led to additional working time losses and GDP reductions in both countries, relative to the 1985-2014 historical reference period. The sectors in Sri Lanka likely to be most affected include agriculture, services, manufacturing, and construction, while in the Maldives, the impact will be felt most acutely in services and construction. Joni Simpson, ILO Country Director for Sri Lanka and the Maldives, emphasized the urgency of addressing heat stress, stating that protecting workers from heat stress should be integrated into occupational safety and health, climate adaptation, and economic resilience strategies. The ILO's research suggests several practical measures to mitigate the impact of increased heat stress, including adjusting work hours, providing shade, hydration, and cooling facilities, strengthening workplace heat monitoring and occupational safety standards, and improving awareness of heat-related risks. Social protection is also highlighted as a critical factor, particularly for workers who may struggle to reduce working hours without incurring financial losses. These findings are part of a broader six-country research initiative covering Ethiopia, Ghana, Lebanon, and Senegal, commissioned by the ILO with support from the Climate Vulnerable Forum and the Vulnerable 20 Finance Ministers, and funded through the CVF-V20 Joint Multi-Donor Fund.",
  "summary": "The International Labour Organization (ILO) has warned that rising temperatures and workplace heat stress were affecting workers, productivity and economies in Sri Lanka and the Maldives. According to new studies by the ILO, the findings show that the economic and employment consequences could intensify substantially in the coming decades. By 2040, even under a low-emissions […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}