ILO study warns Maldives could lose $576 million in GDP by 2040 due to heat stress

A study conducted by the International Labour Organization (ILO) has warned that the Maldives could lose millions of dollars in productivity and economic output by 2040 due to global warming and rising temperatures, leading to heat stress among workers. According to the findings, even if greenhouse gas emissions are reduced, rising heat is expected to reduce working hours, resulting in the equivalent of 2,400 full-time job losses in the Maldives. The country's GDP is projected to lose approximately $576 million annually by 2040. The study highlights that the most significant impact in the Maldives will be on the service and construction sectors. Joni Simpson, the ILO Country Director for Sri Lanka and the Maldives, stressed that protecting workers from rising heat must be included in health and safety policies, and that governments, employers, and workers need to engage in dialogue to find practical solutions. Recommended measures include rescheduling work hours to avoid the hottest times, providing rest breaks, shaded areas, and water and cooling facilities. The study was conducted in six countries—Maldives, Sri Lanka, Ethiopia, Ghana, Lebanon, and Senegal—with assistance from the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) and the V20.