Summers are getting hotter, and for outdoor workers, the heat isn’t just uncomfortable — it can be dangerous. During my visit to a low-income setting in Jaipur, I met Kishore Kumar (name changed), a 42-year-old construction labourer who learned the hard way how prolonged exposure to extreme heat can take a serious toll — not just on the body, but also on his pocket.
According to one estimate, over 230 million Indians, constituting almost half of the workforce — are engaged fulltime or part time in outdoor work (ref). A large proportion of these workers typically earn low wages, belong to low income households and face tough working conditions. Low-income households often have limited access to basic essentials such as clean water and reliable electricity, and have homes in crowded settlements characterized by poor ventilation, minimal protective insulation and no access to green spaces.
One day, last summer, Kishore reached the construction site where he was working, much as usual. Temperatures soared past 45°C that day. As he recalled, “I thought I was just tired or maybe dehydrated. However, soon I couldn’t stand, and everything went dark.”
As Kishore fell to the ground, his co-workers rushed him to the nearest hospital. Doctors lost no time in diagnosing him as a case of heat stroke, a life-threatening condition. Kishore was hospitalized for a day and advised on release, be on rest for another 4 days. “The doctor told me I had pushed too far. I thought I was strong, but the heat made me realise that I am not stronger than heat,” he said.
While he recovered, Kishore faced a harsh reality that no work means no pay. Over the next 3 days, he had to forgo ₹3,000 in wages which could have been used for buying provisions for his family. In Kishore’s words: “Now, I take frequent breaks whenever possible and drink more water, otherwise I will faint again.”
Kishore’s story is unique to him, but representative of hundreds of such outdoor workers in his city – including workers at construction sites, agricultural labourers, and rickshaw pullers to name a few. Unaware about heat related illnesses, lacking the means to protect themselves and with inadequate facilities for cooling and prevention measures at workplaces.
Let’s prevent more stories like Kishore’s. How hard can it be to provide sufficient drinking water, shaded areas for rest, create awareness about heat related illnesses and a few breaks during work hours! For more information,
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