Garment factories in Bangladesh are facing increasing challenges due to extreme heat, with indoor temperatures frequently exceeding 35°C and reaching as high as 40°C. These environments are often hot, humid, and poorly ventilated, compounded by the constant operation of heat-producing machinery such as irons and steamers. Workers, who spend up to 12 hours a day in these conditions, are at risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion, and diminished energy and concentration levels, which significantly jeopardizes their health and wellbeing.
The realities of these working conditions are exacerbated by the piece-rate payment system, forcing workers to choose between slowing down for safety or maintaining speed to earn a living. “Garment workers in Bangladesh already endure some of the most precarious and grueling conditions in the world. With rising temperatures, it”s only getting worse,” stated Professor Ollie Jay, the study”s senior author and Director of the Heat and Health Research Centre at the University of Sydney. “Without immediate, scalable, and affordable cooling solutions, millions face a serious and growing risk of heat-related illness, exhaustion, and long-term harm.”
In response to this pressing issue, Professor Jay”s research team evaluated various cooling alternatives to traditional air conditioning in a simulated garment factory environment that replicated the hottest conditions found in typical Dhaka factories. Their study, published in The Lancet Planetary Health, identified low-cost and scalable strategies aimed at reducing heat stress and enhancing worker productivity in Bangladesh”s ready-made garment (RMG) sector, which supports over 4 million jobs and accounts for a significant portion of the country”s export revenue.
The team tested several straightforward cooling interventions, including insulated reflective roofs, electric fans, and ensuring free access to drinking water, comparing their effectiveness against air conditioning and scenarios with no cooling. “The findings offer practical, scalable solutions for factory owners seeking to improve working conditions without relying on air conditioning, which remains economically and environmentally unsustainable,” explained Dr. James Smallcombe, the lead author and a post-doctoral research fellow at the Heat and Health Research Centre.
As the Bangladesh RMG industry aims for a 30 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, these low-resource strategies present a viable pathway for a sector grappling with growing global demand and the realities of climate change. “The fashion industry has a moral and ethical imperative to reduce heat stress for workers and ensure basic provisions, such as access to clean drinking water,” added Dr. Smallcombe.
While air conditioning may provide some relief, it is not a comprehensive solution; thus, sustainable and affordable cooling measures are essential for safeguarding worker health. The research underscores that improving building design and promoting worker hydration could be pivotal in adapting to climate challenges within global supply chains, benefiting both workers and the continuity of business operations.
Dr. Madeleine Thomson, Head of Climate Impacts & Adaptation at Wellcome, emphasized the urgency of implementing cooling interventions, stating that factory workers in hot conditions are increasingly vulnerable to extreme heat stress due to climate change. “This study highlights that without cooling interventions, workers face serious health risks and reduced productivity, impacting both individual and business earnings,” she noted. “Yet, it also shows that even small, science-based changes can lead to significant improvements in health, livelihoods, and the environment.” The findings are relevant not only to Bangladesh but also to other countries with substantial garment industries, such as India and Vietnam, where extreme heat conditions are prevalent.
