A recent report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) highlights that more than 70 percent of the world's workforce faces potential health risks due to climate change.
The report takes into account the urgent need to reform existing occupational safety and health measures to effectively combat the emerging threats posed by climate-related hazards.
During the report launch at the United Nations in Geneva, Manal Azzi, Senior Specialist on Occupational Safety and Health at the ILO, said that "More than 70 per cent of our workers are exposed to excessive heat, at least at one point in their working lives. That's 2.4 billion workers globally," out of a total global workforce of 3.4 billion.
Titled “Ensuring Safety and Health at Work in a Changing Climate,” the report highlights that climate change is already exerting a serious impact on the safety and health of workers across all regions of the world.
Particularly vulnerable are workers in the world's most impoverished regions, who face heightened susceptibility to climate extremes such as scorching heatwaves, prolonged droughts, raging wildfires, and devastating hurricanes.
According to the ILO, the proportion of global workers affected by climate change hazards has risen by approximately 5 percentage points, reaching 70 percent from 65 percent in the year 2000.
Azzi said that, "more than 22 million workers suffer from sicknesses and injuries related to exposure to excessive heat"
The report draws attention to various health conditions in workers linked to climate change, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory illnesses, kidney dysfunction, and mental health conditions.
The report also estimates that more than 870 million agricultural workers are likely to be exposed to pesticides, resulting in over 300,000 deaths annually due to pesticide poisoning.
Azzi pointed out that "15,000 people die due to parasitic and vector-borne diseases contracted in the workplace," including diseases like dengue, rabies, and malaria, which are spreading to regions previously unaffected.
She stressed the importance of implementing policy measures, collective bargaining initiatives, and awareness-raising programs to mitigate these hazards effectively.
Looking ahead, a significant meeting is planned for 2025 by the ILO, bringing together government, employer, and worker representatives to provide policy guidance on climate hazards and chart a course towards a safer and healthier work environment amidst the challenges posed by climate change.
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