El Niño threatens jobs across Latin America, ILO warns

A new study by the International Labour Organization (ILO) warns that the El Niño event expected to persist through 2027 could severely damage employment in Latin America and the Caribbean. The climate anomaly is projected to cut incomes and worsen working conditions, especially for informal, rural and outdoor workers whose jobs depend on agriculture, fishing, energy, logistics and tourism.

The ILO report notes that the dry corridor of Central America, the Caribbean and northern South America may face droughts and heat waves, while the Pacific coasts of Ecuador and Peru could experience extreme rains and floods, and southeastern South America may see above‑average precipitation and severe storms. These varied impacts raise the risk of food insecurity, higher food and energy prices, and an increase in child labour. "The magnitude of the impacts will depend on the capacity of countries to anticipate with strong labour institutions, social protection systems and social dialogue that protect the most vulnerable," said Fabio Bertranou, ILO’s regional deputy director for Latin America and the Caribbean.