U.N. Warns Extreme Heat Is Putting Workers’ Lives and Livelihoods at Risk

22 AUGUST 2025 – The United Nations is warning that rising global temperatures are already taking a serious toll on workers’ health and productivity, and is urging governments to act before conditions worsen.

A new report from the World Health Organization and the World Meteorological Organization shows that billions of workers are exposed to unsafe levels of heat each year. The consequences range from declining productivity to severe health problems that can prove fatal.

A Mounting Human Cost

The report estimates that more than 2.4 billion workers face extreme heat annually, leading to nearly 23 million work-related injuries. Heat exposure has been tied to kidney disease, heatstroke, dehydration, and neurological problems.

“No one should have to risk kidney failure or collapse just to earn a living,” said Rüdiger Krech, director of health promotion at the World Health Organization.

Workers in agriculture, construction, and fishing, especially in lower-income countries, are most exposed. Scientists say that as heat waves become longer and more intense, the number of workers at risk will rise sharply.

Economic Impact

The financial losses are already substantial. The United Nations estimates that productivity falls by two to three percent for every degree Celsius above 20 degrees. For industries that depend heavily on manual labor, this translates into large losses in output and wages.

The report warns that the dual strain of falling productivity and rising health costs threatens to widen inequality between wealthy and poor nations.

Recommendations for Action

To address the crisis, the report calls for national and regional heat action plans designed with input from employers, unions, and health experts. It also calls for training medical professionals to properly diagnose heat-related conditions and for governments to consider setting maximum legal working temperatures.

Linking Climate and Labor Policy

The United Nations argues that protecting workers from extreme heat is not only a matter of health and safety but also of economic development. If governments fail to act, millions of workers could face worsening conditions, while global growth slows.

“Heat waves are no longer seasonal anomalies. They are a defining feature of our future,” one U.N. official said. “How we protect workers will determine whether societies are prepared for that reality.”

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