Extreme Heat Threatens Livelihoods of India's Informal Workers

In the past few years, India has experienced record-breaking heat waves that have taken a severe toll on the country's informal workers. As of November 2025, the situation remains dire, with millions of people who toil outdoors or in stifling factories facing serious health risks and economic hardship.

Kantaben Kishen Parmar, a 45-year-old vegetable seller in Ahmedabad, is one of the many workers struggling to cope with the extreme heat. Three years ago, she collapsed from heat stress and was hospitalized for severe dehydration. Parmar, who is diabetic, has also suffered from urinary tract infections, dizzy spells, and heavy bleeding during her period—all conditions that medical experts attribute to heat stress. Despite the growing toll on her health, Parmar has no choice but to continue working long hours on the scorching pavement to support her family.

Hansaben Veijay Aahir, a 50-year-old waste collector in Ahmedabad, has also been hit hard by the worsening summers. She now loses a week's worth of work each month due to dehydration and vomiting, drastically reducing her already unstable income of just over $2 per day. Women workers like Aahir often have to borrow money or skip meals when they miss work due to heat-related illnesses.

The situation is equally dire for indoor workers, such as the nearly 9,000 garment factory employees that labor rights researcher Lucy Siers visited across India in September 2025. Siers found that poor ventilation, heat-emitting machinery, and overcrowded factory floors can amplify the heat stress experienced by these workers, with little awareness or action from global fashion brands.

As India grapples with the devastating impacts of climate change, the country's most vulnerable populations are bearing the brunt of the crisis. Urgent action is needed to protect the livelihoods and well-being of informal workers who are essential to the country's economy.