Over 70pc global workforce faces climate change risks: ILO
Business
Those in poor countries are more vulnerable
- Related hazards being linked to a cancer, kidney dysfunction, and respiratory illnesses
- Air pollution responsible for 860,000 deaths each year
- Governments and businesses unable to protect employees
GENEVA (Reuters) – More than 70 per cent of the global workforce is exposed to risks linked to climate change that cause hundreds of thousands of deaths each year, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) said on Monday, adding governments would need to act as the numbers rise.
Workers, especially the world's poorest, are more vulnerable than the general population to the dangers of climate extremes [extreme weather events] such as heatwaves, droughts, wildfires, and hurricanes because they are often the first exposed, or exposed for longer periods and at greater intensity.
Read more: Heat, disease, air pollution: How climate change impacts health
As climate change accelerates, governments and employers are struggling to protect employees, the ILO said in a report.
"A staggering number of workers are already being exposed to climate change-related hazards in the workplace, and these figures are only likely to get worse," the report entitled "Ensuring safety and health at work in a changing climate" said in its conclusions.
"As (the hazards) evolve and intensify, it will be necessary to re-evaluate existing legislation or create new regulations and guidance."
Some countries have improved heat protections for workers, such as Qatar, whose policies came under scrutiny ahead of the 2022 soccer World Cup.
However, rules to govern other dangers like growing pesticide use for agricultural workers are less common.
Read more more: Climate change affecting women, especially those working in agri sector, disproportionally in countries like Pakistan
"We do have some (countries) that already limit exposure to high temperatures and also limit exposure to air pollution, but we rarely have occupational exposure limits set for the other hazards," said Manal Azzi, ILO Senior Specialist on occupational safety and health.
Read more: Lahore and Chingchi effects: Noise at workplace has serious effects on your health
The share of global workers exposed to the most widespread hazard, rising temperatures, has risen by around 5 percentage points over the last two decades to 70.9 per cent, the report said,
Other climate dangers often co-exist, creating a "cocktail of hazards," the report said, with UV radiation and air pollution each affecting 1.6 billion people.
Read more: Climate change hits Asia hardest, below-normal rains in Hindu Kush range of Pakistan: UN
Because a worker is likely to be exposed to multiple dangers at once, an ILO spokesperson said it was impossible to calculate exactly what portion of the 3.4 billion global workforce was at risk.
Climate-related hazards are being linked to a cancer, kidney dysfunction, and respiratory illnesses, leading to deaths or debilitating chronic conditions or disabilities.
Air pollution is the most deadly risk, causing some 860,000 work-related deaths among outdoor workers annually, the ILO report said. Excessive heat causes 18,970 occupational deaths each year and UV radiation kills 18,960 through non melanoma skin cancer, it said.
Read more: Pakistan among six nations bearing the brunt of pollution health burden
"The greatest impacts will be felt by the working poor, those working in the informal economy, seasonal workers and workers in micro and small enterprises," the report said.
In some cases, the very technologies meant to slow climate change like solar panels and lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles can end up producing new dangers since they contain toxic chemicals, it said.
The ILO plans a major meeting in 2025 of government, employer and worker representatives to provide policy guidance on climate hazards.
