Heat stress, poor ventilation in factories lead to worker illness, productivity decline: Study
A recent study by the Department of Public Health and Informatics at Jahangirnagar University found that 82% of workers in these sectors suffer from heat stress.
Highlights:
- 82% of factory workers suffer heat stress amid poor conditions
- Extreme heat, long hours cut productivity and export earnings
- RMG, leather, footwear sectors employ 4 million, drive 83% of exports
- Women face reproductive and health risks from heat, overwork
- Most factories lack healthcare, ventilation, and social protection systems
- Experts urge joint policy, fair wages, and climate adaptation measures
Extreme heat, poor ventilation and long working hours are causing widespread illness among workers in Bangladesh's ready-made garments (RMG), leather and footwear sectors – cutting productivity and export earnings, and creating new pressures on the national economy.
A recent study by the Department of Public Health and Informatics at Jahangirnagar University found that 82% of workers in these sectors suffer from heat stress.
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The RMG, leather and footwear industries together account for over 83% of Bangladesh's total exports and contribute 8.76% to the GDP, employing around 4 million workers.
The study found that climate change and poor working conditions have significantly reduced productivity and efficiency across industrial sectors.
23.5% of garment factories faced production delays while 89.2% of footwear workers underwent decreased efficiency.
Consequently, many factories are failing to meet production targets — including 17.3% of leather and 3.2% of footwear workers who could not meet their output goals.
Lead researcher Md Shakhaoat Hossain said, "Climate change is deeply affecting the livelihoods, health and mental wellbeing of workers in the RMG, leather and footwear industries. Excessive heat, poor ventilation and thermal stress are causing skin and respiratory problems, headaches and psychological strain. With reduced production, workers also face job insecurity and the constant fear of layoffs. Among women, water- and reproductive-health-related problems are increasing."
The survey was conducted among 700 workers – 400 from RMG, 150 from leather and 150 from footwear industries – in Savar, Ashulia, Gazipur and Hemayetpur industrial zones. It also included 44 key informant interviews (KII), 7 focus group discussions (FGD) and 8 case studies.
Worker health problems
One female garment worker told the researchers, "There's no proper airflow in the factory. Every day, someone faints from the heat."
Nearly 49% of workers work 9–11 hours daily, and one-fourth work more than 11 hours. Because of the heat and stuffy environment, 48.6% report suffering from headaches, skin irritation and breathing problems.
Conditions in the leather sector are even worse — only 23% of workers have access to any health service in their factories. Among women, one in four suffer from irregular menstruation, and one in six face risks of miscarriage.
Associate Professor Eshita Biswas, a specialist in internal medicine, said, "Long working hours, heat, overcrowding, lack of water and malnutrition are causing dehydration, anaemia, mental stress and sleep deprivation among garment workers. These reduce their efficiency and disrupt production — ultimately affecting factory income and foreign currency earnings."
Ensuring fair wages, limited working hours, safe working conditions, clean water and regular healthcare has now become essential not just for worker welfare but also for economic stability.
Migration and livelihood insecurity
The study found that 91% of workers are internal migrants, more than 10% of whom moved to cities due to climate-related reasons. But urban life has brought new struggles — higher rents, cramped housing, low pay and social isolation.
One worker said, "When floods destroy crops in our village, food prices go up — but our wages stay the same."
Weak industry preparedness
The study revealed that only one-third of factories have effluent treatment systems, and fewer than 20% have adequate water management. Just 13% use renewable energy.
Meanwhile, over 40% of workers lack any form of social protection, and only 10% have health insurance.
Experts warn that if production continues to be disrupted by climate impacts, export earnings will also be at risk. "When workers fall ill, factory output drops — yet the entire industry runs on their labour," said a labour policy researcher.
A factory owner in Savar admitted, "Rising temperatures due to climate change are making work unbearable for our workers. Their health is suffering and productivity is declining. We are trying to implement the recommended measures to improve production."
Call for policy and action
Lead researcher Md Shakhaoat Hossain recommends joint initiatives by factory owners, global brands and trade unions to mitigate climate impacts. "Factories must ensure comfortable working conditions and prevent workers from losing jobs or rights during the 'Just Transition'. The government should provide policy incentives and effective monitoring, while training programmes must enhance workers' skills and adaptability," he said.
