Garment workers in factories around Dhaka are suffering from heat exhaustion as power cuts force the shutdown of essential cooling equipment [1].
This crisis threatens the health of thousands of laborers and the stability of a critical export industry. The convergence of geopolitical instability and extreme weather creates a hazardous environment where workers must choose between productivity and physical safety.
Since late April 2026, temperatures in the region have reached 37 °C [1]. High humidity has compounded the heat, making conditions inside the factories increasingly dangerous for the workforce [2]. To cope with intermittent power outages, many factory operators have turned off fans and other cooling systems [1].
The energy shortages are not localized failures but are tied to broader fuel shortages linked to the conflict involving Iran and the Middle East [1]. These disruptions have limited the availability of power needed to maintain industrial cooling systems in the garment-industry belt [2].
The impact extends beyond immediate health risks. Reports indicate that potential productivity losses resulting from these conditions could cost billions of dollars [1]. The inability to maintain a safe working temperature slows production speeds, and increases the rate of medical emergencies on the factory floor [2].
Labor advocates said that the lack of cooling equipment puts workers at significant risk of heat stress [2]. Without reliable electricity to power ventilation, the interior of these industrial buildings becomes a heat trap, leaving workers exposed to dangerous thermal conditions during their shifts [1].
“Workers are suffering heat exhaustion after factories turned off fans and coolers because of power cuts”
The situation in Dhaka illustrates the vulnerability of global supply chains to geopolitical shocks. When conflict in the Middle East disrupts energy markets, the physical impact is felt by the most vulnerable workers in the garment sector. This creates a precarious cycle where environmental extremes and energy insecurity threaten both human rights and the economic viability of Bangladesh's primary export industry.
