Climate Change: A Growing Threat to Garment Workers in South and Southeast Asia
The Impact of Climate Change on Garment Workers
Karachi, Dec 9 (Bernama-AA) – Garment workers in South and Southeast Asian countries are increasingly bearing the brunt of climate change in the form of heat stress, which leads to exhaustion, fainting, and heat stroke, according to a recent report.
The Economic Consequences of Climate Change
Titled "Hot Air: How Will Fashion Adapt to Accelerating Climate Change?", the report was prepared by the Global Labor Institute (GLI), a UK-based organisation providing research and education services to local and international trade unions, Anadolu Agency (AA) reported. The report looks ahead at the economic damage that extreme heat and intense flooding can cause for fashion production, forecasting that nearly one million new apparel and footwear jobs will be “foregone” by 2030 in four key producers—Bangladesh, Cambodia, Pakistan and Vietnam—if they fail to make adaptation investments.
The Human Cost of Climate Change
The report warns that these losses are not just economic, but also human. "They are cutting deeply into export earnings, employment and worker health. Without rapid adaptation, these falloffs in earnings and jobs will compound," the report further said. It predicted that the falloff in nominal earnings by 2030 could be 22 per cent across Pakistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
The Future of Fashion Production in South and Southeast Asia
By 2050, it cautioned, these losses swing out to 68 per cent and 8 million jobs in the four countries. As climate change accelerates, heat stress for apparel workers in South and Southeast Asian cities is intensifying, with heat waves becoming more frequent overall.
The Global Impact of Heat Stress
Each year, more than 2.4 billion workers are exposed to excessive heat, as rising temperatures lead to increased evaporation and more intense rainfall events compared to the past, according to estimates by the International Labour Organisation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the impact of climate change on garment workers in South and Southeast Asia is a pressing issue that requires immediate attention. The economic and human costs of inaction are significant, and it is crucial that governments, businesses, and individuals work together to address this challenge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the impact of climate change on garment workers in South and Southeast Asia?
A: Climate change is leading to heat stress, exhaustion, and heat stroke among garment workers in South and Southeast Asia.
Q: What is the economic impact of climate change on garment production?
A: Climate change is projected to result in a 22 per cent falloff in nominal earnings by 2030 and 68 per cent by 2050, leading to 8 million job losses in four key producing countries.
Q: What can be done to mitigate the effects of climate change on garment workers?
A: Governments, businesses, and individuals must work together to invest in adaptation efforts, improve working conditions, and provide support to affected workers.
Q: What is the International Labour Organisation’s estimate of the number of workers exposed to excessive heat each year?
A: The International Labour Organisation estimates that more than 2.4 billion workers are exposed to excessive heat each year.