ILO Report on Global Warming

Why in news?

The report “Working on a warmer planet: The impact of heat stress on labour productivity and decent work” was released by International Labour Organisation (ILO).

What does the report say?

• In 2030, 2.2% of total working hours worldwide will be lost because of higher temperatures.
• The global productivity losses would be around 80 million full-time jobs (equivalent to economic loss of US$ 2,400 billion).
• The projection of 34 million jobs losses in India would make it the worst affected.
• A third of the southern Asian countries have already incurred losses greater than 4%
• This is a conservative estimate, assuming that the global mean temperature does not rise more than 1.5°C  

How it was worked out?

• The report defines heat stress as heat in excess of what the body can tolerate without suffering physiological impairment.
• It generally occurs at temperatures above 35°C, in high humidity.
• Excess heat during work is an occupational health risk and restricts workers’ physical functions and capabilities, work capacity and thus, productivity.
• Assumptions and basis for the projections are,
  1. Global temperature rise of 1.5°C by the end of the century,
  2. Labour force trends.

What are the projections for India?

• India to lose the most working hours is southern Asia in 2030.
• It lost 4.3% of working hours in 1995 because of heat stress.
• It is projected to lose 5.8% of its working hours in 2030, which corresponds to 34 million jobs.
• The report projects losses in working hours as
  1. 9.04% in agriculture (in shade),
  2. 5.29% in manufacturing,
  3. 9.04% in construction, and
  4. 1.48% in services.
• Most of the impact will be felt in the agricultural sector.
• More working hours are expected to be lost in the construction sector (where heat stress affects both male and female workers).
• Most areas have drought like conditions so there will be more migration of agricultural workers to urban areas – usually to work in the construction sector.
• There has been no direct job loss at present, with distressed workers switching from one vulnerable sector to another.

What is the bigger picture?

• Globally, the two sectors projected to be hit worst are agriculture and construction, with agriculture worse affected.
• In agriculture – 60% of working hours will be lost due to heat stress by 2030.
• In construction – 19% of global working hours to be lost.
• More inequality between low and high income countries to be seen.
• There will be worsening working conditions for the most vulnerable, as well as displacement of people.
• To adapt to this new reality appropriate measures by governments, employers and workers, focusing on protecting the most vulnerable, are urgently needed.

Source: The Indian Express

Quick Facts

International Labour Organisation (ILO)

• Found in:1919
• Headquarter: Geneva, Switzerland.
• It became U.N. first specialised agency in 1946.
• It is the only tripartite U.N. agency that brings together governments, employers and workers of 187 member States.
• It sets labour standards, develops policies and devises programmes promoting decent work for all women and men.