World · Sri Lanka Bureau
Heat stress blamed for loss of 120,000 jobs in Sri Lanka during 2023
Sri Lanka's workforce shed the equivalent of more than 120,000 full-time positions in 2023 as workplace heat stress took its toll on productivity and employment. The significant job losses far exceeded historical norms, according to findings from the International Labour Organization.
LSN Sri Lanka ·
Sri Lanka experienced substantial employment losses attributed to heat stress in workplace environments during 2023, with figures reaching 120,000 full-time job equivalents for the year, the International Labour Organization reported.
The job losses represent a marked increase when compared with average annual levels documented across the 1985-2014 baseline period, signalling a worsening trend in occupational heat exposure. The disparity highlights growing challenges posed by elevated workplace temperatures to Sri Lanka's labour market and economic output.
The ILO's assessment, contained in a report titled Impacts of Heat Stress on Jobs and Productivity in Sri Lanka, examined the correlation between thermal working conditions and employment sustainability across the island nation. Heat-related workplace stress has emerged as a significant concern across South Asia, affecting worker productivity and forcing employers to reduce operating hours or workforce capacity during peak temperature periods.
The findings underscore the necessity for enhanced occupational safety protocols and workplace cooling measures as rising temperatures continue to pose risks to employment stability and worker welfare across Sri Lanka's diverse economic sectors.