The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) have warned that rising temperatures are putting millions of workers at risk, with African farm labourers among the most vulnerable.
In a new report, the agencies say urgent steps must be taken to protect those toiling in fields and other outdoor sectors, as extreme heat intensifies across the continent where agriculture underpins livelihoods and food security.
The report — Climate change and workplace heat stress: technical report and guidance — warns that outdoor labourers in farming, mining, construction, and fishing are among the most vulnerable, with the risks compounded in countries with limited health infrastructure.
Lives and livelihoods at risk
Across the continent, millions of farmworkers already work under extreme temperatures. With climate change pushing daytime highs above 40°C in many regions, the WHO and WMO say risks of heatstroke, dehydration, kidney damage, and even death are rising sharply.
“Protection of workers from extreme heat is not just a health imperative but an economic necessity,” said Ko Barrett, WMO deputy secretary-general.
In West Africa’s Sahel, where farming under the scorching sun is a daily reality, workers are increasingly unable to complete full shifts. In southern Africa, mining communities face compounding risks, with underground spaces trapping heat.
Productivity losses in Africa
The report warns that productivity drops by 2–3% for every degree above 20°C. In Africa, where agriculture accounts for about 55% of the labour force, this threatens food security as well as economic stability.
“These effects of climate change are primarily felt by those who work outdoors, making it difficult to perform their work adequately and leading to increased absenteeism,” the report said.
Recommendations for Africa
The agencies are urging African governments and employers to develop heat action plans tailored to local industries and climates. Suggested measures include:
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Guaranteeing access to clean drinking water and shaded rest areas in farms and construction sites.
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Training health workers to better recognise heat stress, which is often misdiagnosed in rural clinics.
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Providing electrolytes and simple nutrition guidance to workers in high-heat zones.
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Engaging labour unions to push for region-specific protections, including maximum workplace temperatures.
A global and African crisis
The International Labour Organization estimates more than 2.4 billion workers worldwide are exposed to excessive heat, causing over 22 million work-related injuries annually.
The WMO confirmed 2024 as the hottest year on record, with African countries among the hardest hit. From Morocco to Mozambique, communities endured deadly heatwaves that forced schools, farms, and factories to close.
“No one should have to risk kidney failure or collapse just to earn a living,” said Rüdiger Krech, WHO’s interim director for environment, climate change, and health.
Jeremy Farrar of the WHO added that the new guidance “offers practical, evidence-based solutions to protect lives, reduce inequality, and build more resilient workforces in a warming world”.
