The IPES‑Food released a report on 5 October 2026 exposing how climate change aggravates health and safety hazards for food‑system workers worldwide. Around 1.4 billion people are employed in the sector, yet 30 % (≈416 million) earn below a living wage. The study links rising temperatures, extreme weather and corporate dominance to deeper exploitation, especially in India.
Key Developments
- Heat stress is now the most common occupational health risk in agriculture, with climate change turning it life‑threatening.
- About 90 % of farm jobs and 60‑80 % of non‑farm food jobs are informal employment, leading to wages only 56 % of formal‑sector earnings.
- In India, drought‑induced crop failures push landless farmworkers into high‑interest debt and bonded labour, perpetuating inter‑generational exploitation.
- Studies from West Bengal (2024) and Kerala (2025) show rising dehydration among paddy harvesters and higher livelihood vulnerability for female‑headed fisher households.
- Women, migrant workers and other marginalised groups face the greatest risks and least protection.
Important Facts
• Agriculture accounts for one‑third of global occupational deaths.
• Climate‑related hazards include extreme heat, wildfire smoke, and toxic pesticide exposure.
• Informal workers lack health coverage, social security and enforceable labour rights.
• Corporate concentration enables firms to keep wages low and safety standards minimal.
Exam Relevance
The report touches on several GS topics:
• GS3 – Economy: labour market dynamics, informal sector size, and the impact of climate change on productivity.
• GS4 – Ethics: workers’ rights, social justice, and corporate responsibility.
• GS2 – Polity: need for stronger labour legislation, enforcement mechanisms and collective bargaining frameworks.
Way Forward
- Adopt and enforce robust collective bargaining rights for all food‑system workers.
- Introduce mandatory heat‑stress mitigation measures: shade structures, regular breaks, potable water, and early‑warning systems.
- Raise minimum wages to meet the living wage threshold, especially for informal and migrant workers.
- Regulate corporate concentration in the food chain to prevent abuse of market power.
- Strengthen social protection schemes (health insurance, unemployment benefits) for vulnerable groups, with special focus on women and migrant labourers.
Addressing climate‑linked labour risks is essential for a sustainable food system and for India’s broader goals of inclusive growth and social justice.