{
  "id": 17706651,
  "title": "Heat stress costs Sri Lanka 120,000 jobs",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/01/heat-stress-costs-sri-lanka-120-000-jobs",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-01T23:45:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Island Sri Lanka",
    "slug": "the-island-sri-lanka",
    "url": "http://island.lk/heat-stress-costs-sri-lanka-120000-jobs/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "The International Labour Organization (ILO) has reported that heat stress in Sri Lanka cost the country the equivalent of 120,000 full-time jobs in 2023, resulting in an additional economic loss of US$6.5 billion compared to historical averages. Agriculture accounted for the majority of job losses at 48%, followed by services (22%), manufacturing (13%), construction (11%), and transport and trade (6%). The ILO estimates that by 2040, Sri Lanka could lose between 145,000 and 221,000 full-time jobs annually due to heat stress, with economic output potentially reduced by up to 15.2% under the highest-emissions scenario. The report emphasizes the need for climate adaptation measures, such as regulated work-rest schedules, improved workplace ventilation, and cooling measures, to protect workers and reduce productivity losses.",
  "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."
}