India has recently faced an alarming 536 heatwave days this summer, defined as periods of unusually high temperatures surpassing regional norms. Several states across the country endured severe heatwaves, contributing to this alarming statistic. While the soaring temperatures drove a surge in air conditioner sales, the unorganised sector workers suffered the most severe consequences. Enduring minimal protection, low wages, and harsh working conditions, these workers were the hardest hit. Tragically, over 100 lives were lost, predominantly among street vendors, due to this climate disaster. This urgent situation demands immediate and comprehensive reforms to prevent further loss of life and livelihood.
This annual ordeal is not just about discomfort; it severely threatens public health and underscores systemic failures in disaster preparedness and response. As we navigate this crisis, it becomes evident that immediate and comprehensive reforms are not just essential, but a matter of urgency, to safeguard vulnerable communities, especially those in the unorganised sector, like gig workers. The gravity of the situation necessitates a holistic approach to reform.
Lack of Effective Heat Action Plans
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issues timely heat alerts, yet translating these warnings into effective action still needs to be revised. Heat Action Plans (HAPs), designed to mitigate the impact of heat waves, exist in some states but often need to address localised challenges.
HAPs are pivotal in mitigating the adverse impacts of heat waves by outlining strategies tailored to local conditions. While some states have adopted HAPs, their efficacy often needs to improve in addressing the nuanced challenges faced by diverse communities. Urban slums and rural areas present unique challenges, characterised by limited access to clean water, electricity, and shaded spaces.
In urban slums, where densely packed settlements amplify heat, and in rural areas, where agricultural communities toil under the unforgiving sun, the cookie-cutter approach of HAPs falls short. Practical solutions such as community cooling centres, provision of potable water, and shaded public spaces are essential yet often-needed improvements in these settings. Moreover, the socio-economic disparities exacerbate vulnerabilities, as marginalised populations bear a disproportionate burden during heat waves.
Failure to Declare Heatwaves as National Calamities
One critical oversight in India’s disaster management strategy is the reluctance to classify heat waves as national calamities. Unlike floods or cyclones, heat waves do not trigger a unified, nationwide response. This classification would unlock additional resources and mandate coordinated efforts across states, significantly enhancing resilience against extreme heat events.
Designating heatwaves as national calamities would signify a recognition of their severity and widespread impact on public health, livelihoods, and infrastructure. This formal classification would unlock several critical benefits:
- Resource Mobilisation: National calamity status enables allocating additional resources from central funds to support affected regions. This includes funding for emergency relief measures, infrastructure upgrades, and capacity-building initiatives tailored to heatwave resilience.
- Coordinated Response: Under the NDMA framework, national calamities mandate a coordinated response strategy involving multiple stakeholders, including state governments, local authorities, NGOs, and civil society. This unified approach streamlines communication, resource allocation, and deployment of relief efforts across state boundaries, ensuring a swift and effective response to mitigate heat wave impacts.
- Enhanced Preparedness: By formalising heatwaves as national calamities, India would institutionalise proactive measures for prevention, preparedness, and response. This includes the development of comprehensive HAPs at the national level, standardised protocols for heat-related emergencies, and capacity-building programs for frontline responders and healthcare providers.
Neglect of Rainwater Harvesting and Conservation
Amidst the sweltering heat, the significance of rainwater harvesting and conservation has been sidelined. Seasonal rains, crucial for replenishing groundwater and providing relief during heatwaves, are often overlooked in urban planning and disaster management policies. This neglect exacerbates water scarcity issues, compounding the challenges communities grappling with extreme temperatures face.
Inadequate Support for Gig Workers
Essential yet often overlooked gig workers bear the brunt of India’s scorching summers. Despite the provision of water and occasional gestures, these workers need comprehensive protections such as mandated rest breaks, access to shaded areas, and health insurance. The current responses, while well-intentioned, fail to address the systemic issues that perpetuate their vulnerability.
While efforts to provide water and basic amenities are commendable, they fail to address systemic issues perpetuating gig workers’ vulnerability. Mandated rest breaks, access to shaded areas, and comprehensive health insurance remain elusive for most gig workers. These protections are crucial for safeguarding their health and recognising their contributions to the urban economy.
The informal nature of gig work exacerbates these challenges. With irregular income streams and minimal job security, gig workers navigate precarious conditions exacerbated by climate extremes. The absence of formal employment contracts and union representation further marginalises their voices in advocating for better working conditions.
Role of Unions and Need for Recognition
The role of unions is central to addressing the challenges faced by gig workers. These organisations advocate for fair wages, better working conditions, and, crucially, protections against extreme weather conditions. Recognising and empowering unions within the unorganised sector is not just a matter of labour rights but a critical step towards enhancing resilience and ensuring social justice.
Unions within the unorganised sector advocate for gig workers, pressing for fair compensation, better working conditions, and protections against hazards such as extreme heatwaves. Their advocacy extends beyond economic demands to include crucial issues of health and safety, addressing systemic vulnerabilities that disproportionately affect workers in precarious employment. Unions also play a crucial role in educating workers about their rights, providing a platform for collective bargaining, and lobbying for legislative reforms to protect workers in the unorganised sector.
Despite their critical role, unions in the unorganised sector face significant challenges. Many gig workers are unaware of their rights or hesitant to organise due to fear of retaliation or lack of legal protections. Additionally, the fragmented nature of the gig economy poses challenges to unionisation efforts, requiring innovative approaches to outreach and organising.
Government recognition and support are essential to bolstering the role of unions within the unorganised sector. Legislative reforms that strengthen labour rights, protect union activities, and promote collective bargaining can facilitate a more equitable framework for gig workers. Moreover, partnerships between unions, civil society organisations, and government agencies can enhance advocacy efforts and ensure effective implementation of labour protections. These partnerships can facilitate the dissemination of information about workers’ rights, support unionisation efforts, and monitor and enforce compliance with labour laws.
Government’s Responsibility in the Unorganised Sector
The government’s response to heat-related issues must prioritise formulating and implementing a dedicated heat action plan specifically tailored to the unorganised sector. This plan should include several key components to safeguard workers in this vulnerable sector effectively. First and foremost, there is a critical need for stringent enforcement mechanisms to ensure that employers adhere to established heat safety standards. This includes regular inspections, penalties for non-compliance, and mechanisms for workers to report unsafe working conditions without fear of reprisal.
Secondly, financial support is essential for small businesses within the unorganised sector to implement necessary heat safety measures. This could include subsidies or grants to offset the costs of providing adequate shade, hydration stations, cooling breaks, and protective clothing.
Moreover, robust public awareness campaigns are crucial to educate employers and workers about the risks of heat exposure and the importance of preventive measures. These campaigns should emphasise early recognition of heat-related illnesses, the necessity of hydration, and the benefits of scheduling work during cooler hours where feasible
Proposed Steps for Immediate Action
- National Declaration of Heatwaves as Calamities: The government must classify heatwaves as national calamities to mobilise resources effectively and ensure a coordinated response across states.
- Enhanced Heat Action Plans: Revise existing HAPs to include comprehensive strategies for rainwater harvesting, sustainable urban planning, and targeted interventions for vulnerable populations in urban slums and rural areas.
- Union Recognition and Support: Strengthen legal frameworks to recognise and empower unions within the unorganised sector. Provide incentives for businesses that comply with heat safety regulations and ensure workers’ rights are protected.
- Public Awareness and Education: Launch extensive campaigns to educate the public about the health risks of heatwaves and promote community resilience through initiatives like tree planting and cool roofing technologies.
- Integration of Nature-Based Solutions: Embed nature-based solutions such as green and blue spaces into urban planning to mitigate the urban heat island effect and enhance overall urban resilience.
Addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by heatwaves demands immediate action and comprehensive reforms. By prioritising resilience, equity, and sustainability in policy and practice, India can mitigate the impacts of extreme heat events and ensure a safer, more secure future for all its citizens.
To achieve resilience against heatwaves and safeguard vulnerable communities, India must move beyond reactive measures to proactive, inclusive strategies. This requires bridging policy gaps, enhancing community engagement, and fostering collaboration across sectors. India can build a more equitable and sustainable future by integrating climate resilience into urban planning, strengthening social protections for gig workers, and empowering grassroots organisations. The urgency of these reforms is not just about weathering the next heatwave season but forging a path towards a resilient society where every individual, regardless of socio-economic status, can thrive in the face of climate challenges.