New Delhi, April 28: The Ministry of Labour and Employment has issued an advisory to all States and Union Territories, calling for urgent measures to safeguard workers from rising temperatures and intensifying heatwave conditions.
In a communication to Chief Secretaries and administrators, the ministry stressed a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach to protect workers, particularly those in outdoor and labour-intensive sectors such as construction, mining, and daily wage employment.
States have been directed to ensure immediate implementation of safety measures by employers and industries, including rescheduling working hours to avoid peak heat periods, providing adequate drinking water, and setting up shaded rest areas with cooling arrangements.
The advisory also recommends provision of emergency ice packs, heat illness prevention materials, and regular health check-ups in coordination with health departments. Factory and mine operators have been asked to allow flexible work practices, including slowing work pace during extreme heat and deploying additional manpower where continuous operations are unavoidable.
Special focus has been placed on vulnerable groups such as construction workers, brick kiln labourers, and casual workers, who face higher exposure to heat stress.
Authorities have also been encouraged to conduct awareness campaigns at labour hubs and public places, using posters and outreach programmes to spread heat safety information. Training initiatives will be undertaken by the Directorate General of Training and the National Board for Workers’ Education.
States and organisations have been asked to submit fortnightly reports on actions taken, enabling continuous monitoring and review of heatwave mitigation efforts.
