As heat waves intensify in Bangladesh’s capital, informal workers face harsh conditions both at home and on the job, leading to declining health, lost wages, and increased vulnerability.
- Dhaka’s informal workers suffer widespread heat exposure and job risks.
- Housing and workplace conditions amplify heat stress and productivity loss.
- Heat-related losses cost Bangladesh’s economy billions annually.
What happened
On a hot June afternoon in the Tejgaon neighborhood of Dhaka, informal worker Samiha Begum brought her children to seek refuge in the shade of a lakeside park, escaping unbearable heat inside their cramped slum home. Such scenes have become common as soaring temperatures bake the city, affecting millions living in informal settlements. These areas, home to some 4 to 5 million residents, consist predominantly of tin-roofed, poorly ventilated rooms that trap heat and offer little relief.
A recent study by People’s Courage International reveals that nearly three-quarters of informal migrant workers surveyed in Dhaka suffer negative impacts from rising heat, and all have been affected by extreme weather events. Productivity, health, and income losses are widespread, with the city experiencing the largest reductions among five studied South and Southeast Asian urban centers. In 2024 alone, heat stress-related health issues contributed to the loss of some 250 million workdays, costing the national economy an estimated $1.78 billion.
Why it feels good
Despite these serious challenges, awareness and research efforts focusing on the plight of informal workers in Dhaka and other cities are growing, encouraging policy discussions and community support aimed at resilience building. Highlighting personal stories alongside data brings urgency and humanity to climate adaptation conversations, fostering regional and global cooperation on extreme heat mitigation.
Moreover, the close-knit nature of many informal settlements has spurred innovative grassroots initiatives like community shading, open-air cooling spaces, and water access improvements to help residents endure the heat spikes. These neighborhood actions, amplified by NGOs and international attention, offer hope for better protection as urban populations and temperatures continue to rise.
What to enjoy or watch next
Follow upcoming reports and updates from People’s Courage International and Bangladesh’s meteorological agencies as they track evolving climate patterns and their social impacts. Watching how urban climate resilience projects unfold, particularly in densely populated cities like Dhaka and Jakarta, can provide valuable lessons in managing heat risks for vulnerable workers.
Consider exploring documentaries and photo essays that capture daily life in informal settlements under rising heat stress, which combine personal narratives with expert commentary. These stories deepen understanding of how climate change reshapes human experience, inspiring empathy and motivating action to support affected communities worldwide.