🌡️ ILO Report: Heat Stress Threats to Sri Lanka's Economy and Jobs

Rising workplace heat stress poses a major threat to Sri Lanka’s economic productivity and employment, according to new findings by the International Labour Organization (ILO). • 2023 Impact Overview • Economic Loss: US$ 6.5 Bn lost in output compared to baseline averages. • Employment Impact: Equivalent of over 120,000 full-time jobs (241 million work hours) lost. • Peak Period: 35% of job losses occurred during the intense heat of Q2. • Sector Breakdown of 2023 GDP Losses • Services: US$ 2.7 Bn (41.9% of total loss) • Transport & Trade: US$ 1.25 Bn (19.3%) • Manufacturing: US$ 920 Mn (14.1%) • Agriculture: US$ 750 Mn (11.5%) • Construction: US$ 655 Mn (10%) • Mining & Quarrying: US$ 211 Mn (3.2%) • Sector Breakdown of 2023 Job Losses • Agriculture: 48% (57,230 jobs) — hardest hit with 2.69% of work hours lost. • Services: 22% (26,529 jobs) • Manufacturing: 13% (15,176 jobs) • Construction: 11% (13,154 jobs) • Transport & Trade: 6% (7,529 jobs) • Long-Term Projections (by 2040 & 2060) • Low-Emissions Trajectory (SSP1-2.6): Annual GDP loss of US$ 26.1 Bn (11.8% of GDP) and 145,000 jobs by 2040, rising to US$ 65.6 Bn (13% of GDP) and 158,000 jobs by 2060. • Fossil-Fuel Pathway (SSP5-8.5): Annual GDP loss reaching US$ 87.1 Bn (15.2% of GDP) and nearly 349,000 full-time jobs by 2060. • Mitigation Measures • ILO recommends work-rest cycles, hydration, cooling stations, heat-tolerant crops, improved factory ventilation, real-time heat monitoring, and enhanced social protection for informal workers.