‘We also need to adapt our response’

Climate change has a negative impact on workplace safety.

What’s going on?

A recent Devex paper reveals a troubling link between climate change and gender-based violence and harassment, particularly against women workers. As global temperatures rise, productivity declines — “by 2030, 2.2% of total working hours will be lost due to climate-related heat stress,” Devex wrote, citing the International Labor Organization.

With reduced productivity comes a greater risk of workplace abuse. Devex cited examples of female workers being denied access to toilets until their production quotas were met or being subjected to long or unsafe working hours that resulted in their collapse.

Why is this important?

As temperatures continue to rise, workers face severe and potentially deadly conditions. The dangers of extreme heat are well documented: 1,300 people die each year from extreme heat, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Despite the risks, many workers are still unprotected. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently banned localities from creating heat protections, including guaranteed water and rest breaks, for workers.

Exploitation contributes to unsustainable practices that further harm the environment, as companies prioritize profits over ethical labor or environmental standards.

What is being done to protect vulnerable workers?

While there are many laws in place to protect workers from gender-based harassment and violence, “359 million women worldwide are still not legally protected from sexual harassment in the workplace,” Devex wrote, citing the Global Partnership for Education.

In response to this divide, worker-led initiatives are emerging to combat climate change-related exploitation and workplace harassment. A new proposed OSHA regulation would ensure that workers receive adequate water and rest breaks when temperatures rise above 80 degrees.

As the climate changes, we must change too.

“Climate is changing the landscape on all the major issues in the world of work,” said Shikha Silliman Bhattacharjee, senior policy and innovation officer at human rights organization Equidem, according to Devex. “We also need to change our response.”

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