Pakistan factory workers face dangerous heat despite global brand pledges

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 21 Oct, 02:32 · Archive

Factory workers in Karachi, Pakistan experience extreme heat intensified by climate change, with major global brands failing to fulfil safety promises.

Factory workers in Karachi, Pakistan are suffering dangerous conditions as extreme heat, intensified by climate change, creates hazardous workplaces. Garment factories producing goods for global brands sold in the United States and Europe have pledged to protect worker safety, but experts and labour rights advocates say those promises remain unfulfilled.

Workers interviewed by the Associated Press described scorching workplaces with temperatures at or above 32.2 degrees Celsius combined with high humidity, packed with industrial equipment that radiated heat. A worker identified only as Siddiqui, 28, experienced vision problems and heart palpitations whilst working. When she felt like suffocating, her supervisor told her to complete her work. She subsequently fainted.

More than a dozen workers in Karachi described scorching conditions, absent heat protocols and negative health effects including fainting. All but one said they lost wages when heat-related illness forced them to miss work. Workers spoke on condition their identities be protected out of fear of retaliation by their employers.

How it is being reported

• Pakistan's factory workers swelter in extreme heat as global brands fail on safety pledgesExtreme heat intensified by climate change is creating dangerous conditions for factory workers in Pakistan.News4Jax · 21 Oct, 02:04
• Pakistan's factory workers swelter in extreme heat as global brands fail on safety pledgesExtreme heat intensified by climate change is creating dangerous conditions for factory workers in Pakistan.Clickorlando · 21 Oct, 02:04

In this story: Pakistan · Karachi · Siddiqui · Associated Press · Pulitzer Center

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem