The United Nations warned in a report on Friday that extreme heat caused by climate change is seriously threatening the health and productivity of more than 2.4 billion workers worldwide.
The report, published by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), calls for urgent action to reduce the risks of heat stress in workplaces.
According to this report, temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius lead to a 2 to 3 percent reduction in worker productivity and increase risks such as heatstroke, dehydration, kidney failure, and neurological disorders.
Workers in the agricultural, construction, and fisheries sectors are particularly at risk.
A report by the International Labor Organization (ILO) shows that excessive heat causes more than 22.85 million occupational injuries and about 19,000 deaths annually.
“Protecting workers from extreme heat is not only a health imperative but also an economic need,” stressed WMO Deputy Director-General Coe Barth.
