Climate Change

Heat Wave In India: Labour Ministry Asks States To Mitigate Effects Of Hot Weather On Workers

Ministry of Labour and Employment has asked all States and UTs to ensure preparedness and effective management of the impact of ensuing heat wave conditions on workers and labourers working in different sectors

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New Delhi: The Centre has asked states and Union territories to take steps to mitigate the adverse effects of extreme hot weather on workers in different sectors. “Ministry of Labour and Employment has asked all States and UTs to ensure preparedness and effective management of the impact of ensuing heat wave conditions on workers and labourers working in different sectors,” an official statement said.

In a letter addressed to chief secretaries /administrators of all states/Union territories, Union Labour Secretary Arti Ahuja emphasised the need to issue directions to the occupiers/employers/construction companies/industries to undertake necessary steps to mitigate the adverse effects of extreme hot weather.

Also Read: India’s Heat Action Plans Fail To Identify And Target Vulnerable Groups: Report

Referring to the seasonal outlook issued by Indian Metrological Department (IMD) for the hot weather season during the current year that indicates above-normal maximum temperatures, the letter lists various strategic steps required to be taken, including re-scheduling of working hours for employees/workers and ensuring adequate drinking water facilities at workplaces, among others.

The letter also impresses upon the need to issue instructions to the management of mines, asking them to undertake immediate steps to make provision for rest areas, an adequate quantity of cool water and electrolyte supplements near the workplace.

It stated that allowing work at a slow pace in case the worker feels unwell, allowing rest times and flexible schedules to let workers do the hardest work during the coolest parts of the day and ensuring proper ventilation in underground mines are some of the other measures suggested.

Apart from factories and mines, the secretary has also emphasised the need to pay special attention to construction workers, and brick kiln workers and to carry out adequate information dissemination at the labour chowks.

Also Read: Heat Wave In India: Dos And Don’ts To Protect Yourself From The Heat Wave And Soaring Mercury

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

NDTV – Dettol have been working towards a clean and healthy India since 2014 via the Banega Swachh India initiative, which is helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. The campaign aims to highlight the inter-dependency of humans and the environment, and of humans on one another with the focus on One Health, One Planet, One Future – Leaving No One Behind. It stresses on the need to take care of, and consider, everyone’s health in India – especially vulnerable communities – the LGBTQ populationindigenous people, India’s different tribes, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants, geographically remote populations, gender and sexual minorities. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (WaterSanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign will continue to raise awareness on the same along with focussing on the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children, fight malnutrition, mental wellbeing, self care, science and health, adolescent health & gender awareness. Along with the health of people, the campaign has realised the need to also take care of the health of the eco-system. Our environment is fragile due to human activity, which is not only over-exploiting available resources, but also generating immense pollution as a result of using and extracting those resources. The imbalance has also led to immense biodiversity loss that has caused one of the biggest threats to human survival – climate change. It has now been described as a “code red for humanity.” The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollutionwaste managementplastic banmanual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and the country can become a Swasth or healthy India.

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