In Bangladesh, garment workers are facing increasing challenges due to heat stress, which is caused by high temperatures and humidity in factories. This situation worsens with climate change and puts the health and earnings of these workers at risk. Many of the workers, approximately 4 million, are women. They experience symptoms like headaches and tiredness, which affect their work performance.
Researchers conducted a study that shows practical and low-cost methods can significantly reduce heat stress. Simple solutions such as using fans, having enough drinking water, and creating reflective roofs in factories can lower indoor temperatures. These steps can improve workers' health and help them earn better.
As air-conditioning is not a sustainable option in many cases, these findings suggest a viable path for improving working conditions. The research indicates that cooling benefits differ between genders, highlighting the need for a tailored approach in work environments.
Difficult words
- worker — A person who does a job.workers
- challenge — A difficult situation to deal with.challenges
- humidity — The amount of water in the air.
- health — The state of being free from illness.
- temperature — A measure of heat.temperatures
- solution — An answer to a problem.solutions
- condition — The situation or environment of something.conditions
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- What changes could improve working conditions for garment workers?
- How might climate change affect the future of garment workers?
- In what ways can simple solutions make a big difference for workers?
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