Did you know that heatwaves are still not notified as a “National Disaster” in India, even as extreme heat now affects a majority of districts and threatens the livelihoods of over 400 million informal workers?
Did you know India’s official heat alert framework still relies primarily on “dry bulb” temperature- without adequately accounting for humidity, despite global scientific consensus that the Heat Index (temperature + humidity) better reflects human survivability?
Can the Right to Life under Article 21 remain meaningful if workers are compelled to work in temperatures that threaten human survivability?
Following a Jan Sunwai recently organised by Rachnatmak Congress at Constitution Club, a Charter of Demands has been submitted to the Ministries of Labour, Home Affairs (Disaster Management), Health & Urban Affairs and Social Justice demanding urgent national action on heat stress and its impact on workers.
Key recommendations include:
• Notification of heatwaves as a National Disaster to enable NDRF support
• Adoption of Heat Index as the primary legal trigger for heat alerts
• Binding heat safety standards under the OSHWC Code, including work-rest cycles
• Recognition of a Right to Cool via cooling shelters & public water access
• Protection for gig, sanitation, construction & agricultural workers
• Income compensation mechanisms for heat-related work loss
India recorded its warmest years in 2024 and 2025. Several studies estimate 57%+ districts are heat-prone, with urban heat islands intensifying risk for workers in construction, street vending, waste picking and delivery services.
The consultation process was convened through the efforts of @SandeepDikshit, Bhoomika Choudhary and myself, bringing together labour representatives, public health experts and climate researchers.
We urge @mansukhmandviya@AmitShah@JPNadda@mlkhattar@Drvirendrakum to consider these recommendations and initiate appropriate action within the coming weeks as peak summer approaches.
NDMA has issued Advisories including in 2025 but advisories are not enforceable rights.
Workers cannot rely on goodwill at 45°C.
Heat safety is emerging as a core question of labour rights, public health and economic productivity.
Workers should not have to choose between livelihood and survival every summer.
Letter attached.
#HeatStress #WorkersRights #ClimateJustice
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