<p>The <strong>Ministry of Labour & Employment</strong> (MOL&E) has issued a country‑wide advisory on <strong>28 April 2026</strong> to shield labourers from the health hazards of prolonged sun exposure as India grapples with an intense <span class="key-term" data-definition="Heatwave – A prolonged period of excessively high temperatures that can cause health, agricultural and economic distress. (GS3: Environment)">heatwave</span>. The advisory, addressed to the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Chief Secretary – The senior-most civil servant in a state, responsible for coordinating the administration of state departments. (GS2: Polity)">Chief Secretaries</span> and <span class="key-term" data-definition="Union Territory – A federal territory directly governed by the central government, unlike states which have elected legislatures. (GS2: Polity)">Union Territories</span>, calls for a coordinated, <span class="key-term" data-definition="Multi‑sectoral approach – A strategy that involves multiple sectors (e.g., health, labour, environment) working together to address a complex issue. (GS3: Governance)">multi‑sectoral</span> and <span class="key-term" data-definition="Multi‑dimensional approach – An intervention that considers various facets such as health, safety, productivity, and social welfare. (GS3: Governance)">multi‑dimensional</span> response to protect workers, especially those in <span class="key-term" data-definition="Outdoor workers – Employees whose duties are performed primarily outside, such as construction labourers, agricultural workers, and street vendors, making them vulnerable to weather extremes. (GS3: Labour & Employment)">outdoor</span> and <span class="key-term" data-definition="Labour‑intensive sectors – Industries that require large amounts of human labour relative to capital, e.g., construction, agriculture, and mining. (GS3: Economy)">labour‑intensive sectors</span>.</p>
<h3>Key Developments</h3>
<ul>
<li>The MOL&E has formally circulated an <span class="key-term" data-definition="Advisory – A non‑binding directive issued by a government authority to guide administrative action or public behaviour. (GS2: Polity)">advisory</span> to all state and UT administrations.</li>
<li>Emphasis on providing shade, drinking water, regular breaks, and medical facilities at worksites.</li>
<li>States are urged to integrate the advisory with existing occupational health and safety (OHS) frameworks.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Important Facts</h3>
<p>• The advisory targets workers in sectors such as construction, agriculture, mining, and street vending.<br>
• It recommends that employers adopt heat‑stress mitigation measures like <em>wet‑cloth cooling, staggered shifts, and provision of sunscreen.</em><br>
• Coordination is sought between the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and state labour departments.</p>
<h3>UPSC Relevance</h3>
<p>This development touches upon sever
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