Adverse weather adds to informal workers’ stress in Kathmandu
Summary
Informal workers in Kathmandu face increased stress and health risks due to rising temperatures and extreme heat linked to climate change, exacerbated by the anticipated El Niño. Many struggle with harsher working conditions and income loss, revealing significant policy gaps in protections for this vulnerable labor force.
Key Points
- Informal workers in Kathmandu report worsening working conditions due to extreme heat linked to climate change and El Niño.
- A study covering five South and Southeast Asian cities highlights the disproportionate vulnerability of informal workers to heatwaves and lack of social protections.
- Urban factors like unplanned growth and poor housing exacerbate heat impacts on low-income workers in Kathmandu.
- Rising heat leads to health issues, wage loss, and food insecurity among migrant workers, with many receiving little or no assistance during extreme weather events.
