PCI Says 8 in 10 Asian Informal Workers Lose Sleep and Wages to Hotter Nights
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · May 26
PCI Says 8 in 10 Asian Informal Workers Lose Sleep and Wages to Hotter Nights
1 articles · Updated · The Guardian · May 26
Summary
More than 2,200 migrant workers surveyed in Delhi, Dhaka, Kathmandu, Jakarta and Quezon City described hotter nights leaving them exhausted before work, with PCI calling it a growing “recovery deficit.”
Night-time temperatures are rising faster than daytime heat across much of south and south-east Asia, and dense urban areas trap that heat, cutting the hours workers once used to cool down and sleep.
Nearly 8 in 10 respondents said extreme heat was disrupting livelihoods or households, reporting lost wages, higher spending on water and medicine, and symptoms including headaches, dizziness and fatigue.
Informal workers are especially exposed because many live in cramped rooms with poor ventilation and unreliable electricity while still working long outdoor shifts in delivery, construction and street vending.
The report says current city responses such as advisories, water kiosks and heat action plans remain largely reactive as climate change is expected to triple the odds of south Asia’s pre-monsoon heatwaves.
As nighttime heat cripples Asia's workers, are community-led solutions the only real hope?
India loses trillions to heatwaves, so why are its most essential workers left unprotected?
Extreme Heat and Informal Workers in Urban Asia: Rising Risks, Economic Losses, and the Urgent Need for Climate-Resilient Protections
Overview
Extreme heat events are causing widespread disruption and devastating costs, especially for informal workers in Asian cities. These workers face heightened vulnerability due to precarious working conditions and a lack of social safety nets. Recent soaring temperatures, like those in Delhi exceeding 45°C during the day and remaining high at night, highlight the severity of the crisis. The intense heat has far-reaching effects on public health and infrastructure, putting informal laborers at significant risk of serious health conditions such as heat exhaustion and dehydration. This situation exposes the urgent need for better protections and support for these vulnerable populations.