Heat threatens millions of jobs in six countries, ILO warns
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Business Day Nigeria
Rising temperatures threaten workers’ health, employment and productivity in Ghana, Ethiopia, Senegal and three other countries, with possible losses of millions of jobs and billions of dollars in annual output. Studies presented on 29 October by the International Labour Organization call for workplaces to adapt, particularly in agriculture, construction, fishing and transport.
Rising temperatures threaten workers’ health, employment and economic productivity in Ghana, Ethiopia, Lebanon, the Maldives, Senegal and Sri Lanka, the International Labour Organization (ILO) warns. Losses could reach millions of jobs and billions of dollars in annual output, according to studies presented by the organisation at an online meeting on 29 October 2026.
Globally, around 2.4 billion workers are exposed to excessive heat. Heat stress could eliminate the equivalent of 80 million full-time jobs by 2030 and is associated with nearly 19,000 occupational deaths each year, according to the ILO. Agriculture, construction, fishing and transport are among the most exposed sectors because of physical work carried out in very hot environments.
National projections cited by the organisation indicate that by 2040, 550,000 jobs could be at risk in Ghana, 1.78 million in Ethiopia, 145,000 in Sri Lanka, 129,000 in Senegal and 21,700 in Lebanon. Andreas Floris, lead author of the studies, said every sector and workplace would benefit from measures to adapt to heat stress.
