The study says extreme heat and humidity make work in Bangladesh garment factories more dangerous and less productive. The ready-made garment sector employs over 4 million people in Bangladesh, about 60 per cent of them women, and indoor temperatures often climb above 35 degrees Celsius.
Researchers replicated the hottest recorded factory conditions — 40 degrees Celsius and 38 per cent humidity — in a climate chamber. They ran 247 trials with 42 participants and used an almost equal mix of men and women. Using fans and encouraging drinking water partly recovered productivity losses of up to 15 per cent. An insulated, reflective roof that cut indoor temperature by 2.5 degrees Celsius lowered core body temperature, heart rate and the risk of dehydration.
The authors say immediate affordable cooling is needed. They also note cooling benefits were greater in male participants and that cultural and gender factors matter when planning solutions. The study cautions that some people were excluded, so results may not show the experiences of the most vulnerable workers.
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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