AS the world grapples with the escalating impacts of climate change, an often overlooked yet crucial aspect is the well-being of workers across various sectors. From scorching heatwaves to extreme weather events, labourers face unique and intensifying challenges that threaten their health and safety. In Pakistan, where climate vulnerabilities intersect with a large workforce, addressing labour health resilience is not merely a necessity but a moral imperative.
Pakistan’s sweltering summers have become a harsh reality for outdoor workers, particularly those in the construction and agricultural sectors. With temperatures soaring well above 40°C to 47°C in recent years, these individuals face the daunting challenge of working under extreme heat stress. Prolonged exposure to such conditions can lead to heat-related illnesses, dehydration, and even life-threatening conditions like heatstroke. The situation is exacerbated by inadequate access to shade, hydration, and rest periods, putting workers’ lives at risk.
This predicament is not unique to Pakistan. Nations across the globe are witnessing a rise in occupational hazards due to climate change. For instance, in Australia’s blistering outback, farm labourers have reported severe heat exhaustion and productivity losses. Similarly, in the Gulf region, construction sites have become veritable furnaces, endangering the health and well-being of migrant workers toiling under the relentless sun.
Pakistan’s urban centres, such as Lahore and Karachi, are grappling with alarmingly poor air quality, posing severe risks to workers’ respiratory health. According to the World Air Quality Report 2023, Lahore ranked among the cities with the worst air pollution globally. Cities like Delhi, Beijing, and Mexico City battling air pollution crises that disproportionately impact their labour force. This toxic haze, exacerbated by vehicular emissions, industrial activities, and climate factors, has a profound impact on outdoor workers, including street vendors, traffic police, and delivery personnel.
The consequences of prolonged exposure to such hazardous air quality are far-reaching, leading to respiratory illnesses such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and even lung cancer. Tragically, many workers lack access to proper protective equipment or healthcare facilities, rendering them particularly vulnerable. Climate change has amplified the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, such as floods, cyclones, and heatwaves, posing severe threats to worker safety and livelihoods. In Pakistan, the devastating floods of 2022 left millions displaced, including countless labourers who lost their homes and means of income.
Such disasters have a disproportionate impact on vulnerable workers, particularly those in the informal sector, who lack access to social safety nets and legal protections. Street vendors, day labourers, and informal waste collectors are among the most affected, facing the immediate loss of income and shelter, as well as long-term challenges in rebuilding their lives. The nexus between climate change and the spread of vector-borne diseases like dengue, malaria, and Zika poses a grave threat to worker health. In Pakistan, where these diseases are already prevalent, rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns have created conducive environments for mosquito breeding, increasing the risk of transmission.
Agricultural workers, construction labourers, and those working in outdoor environments are particularly susceptible to these climate-sensitive diseases, often lacking access to preventive measures and prompt medical care. Furthermore, the potential shift in disease vectors due to climate change could expose workers in previously unaffected regions to new health risks, underscoring the urgency of preparedness and adaptation strategies.
Addressing labour health resilience in the face of climate change is not merely a technical challenge but a matter of climate justice and workers’ rights. Labour unions and advocacy organizations play a vital role in amplifying the voices of workers and advocating for safe working conditions, fair wages, and social protections. As the impacts of climate change intensify, these organizations must integrate climate resilience into their agendas, ensuring that workers’ health and safety concerns are at the forefront of climate action plans. This includes demanding robust adaptation measures, access to healthcare services, and support during climate-related emergencies.
Furthermore, policymakers must prioritize labour health resilience by developing comprehensive frameworks that address occupational hazards exacerbated by climate change. This could involve strengthening occupational safety regulations, implementing heat action plans, improving air quality monitoring, and investing in worker education and training programs.
As we commemorate Labour Day, let us recognize that safeguarding the well-being of workers in the face of a changing climate is not merely an occupational issue but a collective responsibility. Pakistan’s journey toward labour health resilience can serve as a beacon for global action, inspiring nations worldwide to prioritize the safety and dignity of those who form the backbone of our economies. By fostering collaboration among governments, employers, labour organizations, and civil society, we can create a future where no worker is left behind in our collective fight against climate change. The urgency of the moment demands bold and decisive action, for the well-being of our workers is intrinsically linked to the resilience of our societies and the sustainability of our planet.
—The writer is a young activist who comes from Islamabad and now lives in Dubai.
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