Amid the rising temperatures across the parts of India, the Union Ministry of Labour and Employment has written to all states and Union territories (UTs) to take urgent steps to safeguard workers and labourers from the extreme heat.
In a statement, the Ministry has advised states to reschedule working hours to avoid peak heat times and also ensure that workers have access to adequate drinking water. It has also advised states to provide shaded rest areas at construction sites, conducting regular health check-ups, and supplying emergency ice packs.
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The Ministry has also called for special focus on workers in factories, construction sites, brick kilns, and mines. “Underground mines where proper ventilation and flexible work schedules are crucial. There should be adoption of slower work pace and two-person crews during extreme heat,” the Ministry said.
States and Union territories have been advised to issue directions to employers, occupiers, industries, and construction companies to implement effective heatwave mitigation measures for workers.
Various arms of the Labour Ministry will conduct awareness sessions and training programmes about the causes and impact of heatwaves, and ways to mitigate the adverse effects.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) in a statement on said that heat wave conditions will likley continue till month-end in all parts of the country.
