KARACHI: Thousands of garment and textile workers in Karachi, producing clothes for major global brands including H&M, Zara, GAP, Mango, ASOS, C&A, NA-KD, NEXT, and IKEA, are suffering severe heat stress amid rising temperatures fueled by climate change, according to a damning new report by Climate Rights International (CRI).
Released Wednesday, the report titled “They Don’t See What Heat Does to Our Bodies” reveals factory floors often hotter than outdoor temperatures, with poor ventilation, sealed windows, and intense machinery heat creating suffocating conditions. Workers report frequent fainting, dehydration, dizziness, nausea, and swollen limbs, yet production continues during extreme heatwaves.
“Inside, it feels like my body is melting,” said Muhammad Hunain, a textile worker. Many avoid drinking water to prevent reprimands for frequent bathroom breaks, increasing risks of kidney damage and long-term health complications.
Despite earning just Rs32,000–40,000 ($115–145) monthly, workers face wage deductions or dismissal threats if they stop due to illness. Fainting incidents often result in unpaid leave without medical care.
The report links affected factories to the named international brands through public supply-chain disclosures. Most brands are signatories to the International Accord on health and safety, yet only NEXT has explicit heat-risk guidelines for suppliers. Others reportedly rely on general standards that ignore extreme heat as a hazard.
Workers and researchers accuse factories of temporarily improving conditions—adding fans, providing clean water—only during brand audits.
CRI warns Karachi’s garment sector is on the frontlines of climate change, with Pakistan warming faster than the global average. Without urgent action—better ventilation, heat protocols, paid sick leave, and enforceable laws—the human toll will worsen.
One worker, Shaista, summed it up: “We’re not asking for luxury… just air to breathe and water to drink.”