Climate safety, decent conditions for women agri workers demanded

HYDERABAD: Women cotton workers and labour rights activists highlighted the urgent need for climate safety and decent working conditions for women agricultural workers in the face of increasing climate change impacts. They said rising temperatures, extreme heat, and harsh working conditions are seriously affecting the mental and physical health of women cotton workers.

Speakers stressed that heatwaves and unsafe field conditions are damaging women workers’ health and livelihoods and called for urgent measures including shaded rest areas, clean drinking water, climate safety kits, reduced working hours during extreme heat, and better health services in rural areas during periods when sunstroke and heatstroke risks are high. They also demanded action to address off-season poverty, unemployment, and seasonal occupational safety and health challenges faced by women agricultural workers. Speakers emphasized the need for sustainable livelihood opportunities, social protection, and occupational health and safety measures for women workers throughout the year.

These issues were discussed during the Convention of Women Agricultural Workers organized in connection with International Labour Day under the theme “Decent Work Begins with Mental and Physical Safety,” held by Sindh Community Foundation with support from Asian Venture Philanthropy Network.

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More than 100 women agricultural workers from five villages of Tando Adam, including members of five women agricultural workers’ trade unions, along with labour rights activists, cotton growers, journalists, and representatives from government departments participated in the convention.

The convention brought together representatives from the Social Welfare Department, Women Development Department, civil society organizations, growers, community leaders, and media representatives. Speakers included Javed Soz from Sindh Community Foundation, Shafqat Solangi from the Social Welfare Department, and Sajid Saddar from the Women Development Department, journalist Ashiq Sand, labour rights activists Zubaida Turk and Hira Arain, along with trade union leader Zubaida Solangi. Speakers stated that besides the promulgation of the Sindh Women Agricultural Workers Act, 2019, its implementation must be accelerated to ensure that the benefits and protections provided under the law effectively reach women agricultural workers at the local level.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026