Garment workers in some of the largest manufacturing regions around the world, particularly those in South Asian countries like Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Pakistan, are increasingly facing extreme heat as temperatures rise due to the effects of climate change, a study published on Sunday noted. This problem has created a major challenge for multinational brands and retailers, which they must play an active role in solving.
New EU regulations require retailers such as Inditex, H&M, and Nike to take legal responsibility for the working environment of their suppliers. Because of this they are under increasing pressure to provide financial support for the development of cooling systems in partner factories.
Brands Must Act Now
The number of days with “wet-bulb” temperatures, a combined measure of air temperature and humidity, exceeds 30.5 degrees Celsius (86.9 degrees Fahrenheit) in the cities of Dhaka, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Phnom Penh, and Karachi compared to 2005-2009. Cornell University’s Global Labor Institute reported a 42% increase over the period 2020-2024.
When temperatures reach above this limit, the International Labor Organization (ILO) recommends allocating equal hours of work and rest each hour to maintain a safe body temperature.
The report cites only three companies—Nike, Levi’s, and VF Corp—that have included specific measures to prevent workers from heat illness in their supplier codes of conduct.
A warning to industry “We’ve been talking to brands about this for years, and they’re just starting to pay attention,” Jason Judd, executive director of Cornell University’s Global Labor Institute, told Reuters.
He added, “If a brand or retailer knows that hazardous temperatures in production areas are affecting workers’ health, the new rules require them to take steps to address this.”
The European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive was introduced in July and will start applying to large corporations from mid-2027.
Potential solutions for factory cooling include improved ventilation and water-based cooling technologies, which will reduce carbon emissions compared to energy-intensive air conditioning systems.
Some factory owners may be interested in this developmental step themselves, as heat stress significantly affects productivity. However, Judd insists that these EU restrictions equally place the onus on brands to address the issue.
The report calls on brands and retailers to invest in higher wages and health protection, so workers can handle the financial risk of losing work during extreme heatwaves.
According to a study last year by resource management firm Schroders and the Global Labor Institute, extreme temperatures and floods could cost Bangladesh, Cambodia, Pakistan, and Vietnam nearly $659 billion in garment export earnings by 2030.
