Greenpeace South Asia’s new issue brief calls for urgent heat stress protection
Greenpeace South Asia, in collaboration with Youth4NDCs and the Bangladesh Centre for Workers’ Solidarity, has released a new Issue Brief warning that extreme heat in Dhaka has escalated into a climate and labour justice crisis, requiring urgent government intervention and policy action
The Brief, "Dhaka Heat Stress Protection: Policy Response for Urban Resilience and Climate-Labour Justice," reports that the heat index reached 40°C in May 2025, putting nearly 24 million residents, particularly informal and outdoor workers, at severe risk of illness, income loss, and premature death.
Women are disproportionately affected, as approximately 80% work in informal jobs with little or no heat protection. Heat-related productivity losses are estimated at
$21 billion annually, while informal workers report losing up to half of their daily income on extreme heat days.
Launched on 30 September during a regional webinar, the brief brought together labour rights advocates, urban planning experts, and climate justice campaigners from across South Asia to share experiences, highlight worker-led solutions, and call for urgent action.
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The brief calls for comprehensive policy responses, including recognising heat as a labour and human rights issue; providing immediate protections for vulnerable workers such as rest breaks, hydration, shade, and maternity-safe infrastructure; addressing gender and equity gaps; expanding heat-resilient urban infrastructure; strengthening municipal climate-labour governance with early warning and monitoring systems; and mobilising finance through adaptation funds, parametric insurance, and a Climate Damage Tax on polluters to build long-term resilience.
