The International Labour Organization reported today, Monday, that over 70 percent of the global workforce is exposed to climate-related risks, which result in hundreds of thousands of deaths each year. The organization urged governments to take action as the number of those affected by climate change risks rises. Workers, particularly the poorest groups worldwide, are more vulnerable than the general population to extreme weather phenomena such as heatwaves, droughts, wildfires, and hurricanes, as they are the first to be affected or face these conditions for longer durations and more intensely.
In a report, the ILO stated that governments and employers are struggling to protect workers as climate change accelerates. The report, titled "Ensuring Safety and Health at Work in a Changing Climate," concluded that "a huge number of workers are already exposed to climate-related risks in the workplace, and these figures are likely to worsen."
The report added, "As risks evolve and deepen, it will be necessary to reassess existing legislation or develop new regulations and guidelines." It further noted that air pollution is the deadliest risk, causing approximately 860,000 work-related deaths each year among outdoor workers, while extreme heat is responsible for 18,970 work-related deaths annually, and ultraviolet radiation causes 18,960 deaths from skin cancer.
It stated, "The greatest impacts will be felt by poor workers, those in the informal economy, seasonal workers, and those in small and micro enterprises."
