Surat textile workers face extreme heat; coolers provide limited relief

Surat, India – Workers at textile factories on the outskirts of Surat are grappling with soaring temperatures and high humidity inside low‑ceilinged production halls. Steam, radiating heat from machines and chemical odors combine to create an oppressive environment.

Soni Pande, a 27‑year‑old single mother, said, “The heat does make us weak. We sweat a lot. Some people feel dizzy, unwell.” Kundan Kumar, who operates a dyeing machine, added, “We sweat a lot and feel dizzy sometimes.” Fans and mist‑spraying coolers are installed, but they offer only brief respite and cannot match the heat generated by the machinery.

Factory owners are reluctant to invest in more extensive cooling systems, citing losses from U.S. tariffs and supply disruptions linked to the Iran war. While some plants use exhaust fans and water‑evaporation coolers that do not require sealed rooms, the measures remain insufficient.

The situation reflects broader climate‑driven challenges across India, where rising daytime and nighttime temperatures lengthen summer months. A 2022 World Bank report estimates that 75% of India’s workforce, about 380 million people, is affected by heat. Labor unions have appealed to the government for stricter heat‑protection regulations and better enforcement, noting that many informal workers are excluded from existing labor laws.