Extreme heat across India is forcing informal women workers off their jobs, resulting in lost earnings and rising health costs [1].
This trend threatens the economic stability of vulnerable populations who lack formal employment protections. As temperatures climb, women in the informal sector face a compounding crisis of diminished income and increased unpaid care responsibilities at home [1].
The current heat wave began in mid-April [3]. Temperatures have regularly surpassed 110 °F [2], with some regions reaching as high as 116 °F [1]. These conditions have created a precarious environment for street vendors and textile laborers in cities such as Surat [1, 3].
For many women, the choice is between risking their health or losing their daily wage. One worker said, "It feels like you are burning but you are still alive" [1]. In textile factories, where ventilation is often poor, workers rely on minimal cooling. A textile factory worker said, "The heat is unbearable, but the fans help a little" [2].
Reports indicate that the impact extends beyond immediate physical danger. While some sources report that workers are dying in unprecedented numbers due to the lack of alternatives to outdoor labor [2], others highlight the hidden economic burdens. These include the cost of medical treatment for heat-related illnesses, and the shift toward unpaid care work as family members fall ill [1].
The lack of formal contracts means these women have no access to sick leave or heat-related subsidies. When the weather becomes too extreme to work, they simply lose their income for the day [1].
“"It feels like you are burning but you are still alive."”
The intersection of climate change and informal labor creates a gendered economic vulnerability. Because women in India's informal sector lack social safety nets, extreme weather does not just pose a health risk—it functions as a direct economic shock that pushes households deeper into poverty.
