Extreme Heat in India's Textile Factories Endangers Workers Despite Cooling Efforts

Workers at textile factories in Surat, India's western coastal industrial hub, face increasingly unbearable conditions as climate-driven heat waves combine with the intense temperatures generated by manufacturing machinery. The city, already experiencing rising temperatures and longer summer months due to climate change, has seen daytime highs reach 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit). Inside factories, conditions are amplified by steam from stenters, boilers, drum washers, and the chemical processes used to dry, print, dye and finish the polyester cloth that supplies textile companies worldwide.

Workers describe the health impacts firsthand. Soni Pande, a 27-year-old single mother from Bihar state, and Kundan Kumar, who operates dyeing machines, both report experiencing weakness, excessive sweating, and dizziness despite the presence of cooling equipment. "The heat does make us weak. We sweat a lot. Some people feel dizzy, unwell," Pande said, noting that fans and mist-spraying coolers are "overpowered on the hottest days." Many factory workers endure day-and-night shifts in these conditions out of economic necessity, as they depend on wages to support their families.

Some factories have invested in cooling infrastructure, including water-evaporation coolers and exhaust fans that circulate fresh air without requiring sealed rooms. However, these measures provide only temporary relief and remain limited by the intense heat generated by machinery. The effectiveness of cooling systems is further constrained by factory owners' financial pressures—losses from U.S. tariffs and supply disruptions caused by regional conflicts have reduced willingness or ability to invest thousands of dollars in installing and maintaining cooling systems.

The challenge affects a vast population. According to a 2022 World Bank report, approximately 75% of India's workforce—roughly 380 million people—is impacted by workplace heat, including construction workers and factory employees. These conditions can create potentially life-threatening situations. Although India has laws and guidelines intended to protect workers from extreme heat, labor unions have pressed the government for stricter enforcement and stronger protections, highlighting the persistent gap between regulations and workplace reality.

The problem remains stubborn because even installed cooling equipment often cannot counteract the combined effects of external climate change, industrial heat generation, and chemical processes. Factory managers and workers alike acknowledge that while improvements have been made, comprehensive solutions remain elusive as economic pressures and climate impacts continue to intensify.