Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Elias Vieira Gonçalves, a street vendor on the bustling streets of Rio de Janeiro, knows the perils of outdoor work all too well. For over 25 years, he has braved scorching sunrays and intense heat while plying his trade under the unforgiving Brazilian sun.
Edimar Santiago, another street vendor, echoes Gonçalves’ sentiments. Striding across Vermelha beach with a heavy cooler and a mini barbecue, Santiago navigates through the searing sand, serving beachgoers with grilled delights. Yet, beneath the veneer of seaside leisure, Santiago faces the grueling reality of his occupation. “The beach is great for those who come here to enjoy it and relax,” he muses, “But for us street vendors, who come here to make a living, it’s tough. The sand is scorching hot and we have to carry heavy loads.”
Brazil, accustomed to sultry weather, now grapples with increasingly unbearable outdoor working conditions. March of the previous year saw the ‘feels-like’ temperature in Rio de Janeiro soar to a record-breaking 62.3°C, marking an alarming trend of scorching temperatures. The country now endures over 50 days annually with temperatures surpassing 40°C. As in many parts of the globe, 2023 marked Brazil’s hottest year on record, spelling dire consequences for worker well-being.
Prolonged exposure to such extreme heat elevates the risk of stroke and precipitates ‘heat stress’, a condition impeding the body’s ability to regulate temperature. Symptoms range from general exhaustion to nausea and vomiting. The International Labour Organization (ILO) forewarned in a 2019 report that by 2030, over 2% of total working hours globally could be lost annually due to heat-related constraints, amounting to an estimated financial loss of US$2,400 billion by the same year.
Research from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro indicates that nearly 38 million Brazilians endure approximately 25 days of heat stress annually. Street vendors like Gonçalves and Santiago are not alone in facing these hazards; waste collectors, drivers, warehouse handlers, and construction workers also stand vulnerable to the perils of rising temperatures.
Ricardo Nogueira, representing Sintraconst, the civil construction industry workers’ union in Rio de Janeiro, underscores the heightened risks in construction sites. “Extreme heat amplifies the danger tenfold,” he warns. Despite Brazilian laws mandating break times for outdoor workers, compliance remains an issue, with workers often pressured to forgo breaks to avoid accusations of laziness.
Although specific figures remain elusive, the Brazilian Ministry of Labour observed a surge in reports of heat exposure in 2023, highlighting symptoms ranging from dehydration to fainting. Such hazards extend beyond physical health; climate change-induced conditions like prolonged heat exposure also exacerbate mental health concerns, increasing the risk of suicide and fostering climate anxiety.
Moreover, socioeconomic disparities exacerbate the impact of climate change on workers. While office workers enjoy air-conditioned comforts, construction laborers endure temperatures exceeding 50°C without respite. Such disparities mirror Brazil’s historical inequities, with marginalized communities bearing the brunt of environmental injustices.
Efforts to address these challenges are underway, with sectoral trade unions spearheading awareness campaigns and prevention initiatives. However, gaps persist in public health policies and data collection, hindering effective responses to climate-related health risks.
As Brazil grapples with the dual threats of climate change and occupational hazards, a comprehensive approach encompassing robust policies, equitable practices, and heightened awareness is imperative to safeguard workers’ health and well-being in the face of evolving environmental realities.
