KARACHI:
Every summer, Pakistan experiences record-breaking temperatures and every summer we hear the same warnings about avoiding unnecessary exposure to the sun. Unfortunately, such advice offers little comfort to people whose livelihoods depend on working outdoors. Construction labourers, sanitation workers, delivery riders and traffic wardens cannot simply stay indoors until the weather improves. They continue working because they have families to support and daily wages to earn.
What is disappointing is the lack of serious attention given to their safety. While heatwave advisories are issued regularly, there is little effort to ensure that employers provide drinking water or regular breaks. In many workplaces, productivity is prioritised over health. Heat exhaustion and dehydration are often dismissed as part of the job rather than recognised as preventable occupational hazards. With climate change making extreme weather more frequent, this approach is no longer acceptable. Organisation should develop clear guidelines for outdoor work during periods of intense heat and monitor whether employers are complying with them. Awareness campaigns should also educate workers about recognising the early signs of heat-related illness before their condition becomes life-threatening.
Protecting workers from extreme weather is by no means an unrealistic demand. It is a basic responsibility of both employers and the state. As temperatures continue to rise, ignoring the issue will only result in more avoidable illnesses and unnecessary deaths among those who can least afford them.
Khizar Sheikh
Lahore
