Heat Stress Threatens Garment Industry in Bangladesh and India
The garment industry in Bangladesh and India is facing severe challenges due to rising temperatures, which are causing significant heat stress on factory floors. According to a panel discussion at the Sourcing Journal Sustainability Forum, factory interiors are reaching temperatures of 40°C (104°F), exacerbated by machinery and poor ventilation. This heat stress is no longer a brief summer issue but spans from April to October, creating a seven-month season of extreme conditions. The Global Labor Institute (GLI) research highlights that indoor temperatures are consistently 1.5°C to 2°C hotter than outdoor temperatures. This situation is leading to a sharp decline in worker productivity when temperatures exceed certain thresholds, posing a massive economic and humanitarian threat to the industry. 
