"Toiling Under Intense Heat Threatens Informal Workers’ Livelihoods and Health", 1 May 2026

… workers across Phnom Penh, facing sweltering heat, express concerns about rising temperatures. They worry that the extreme heat poses a risk to their health, leading to heat exhaustion, and also threatens their ability to survive in the long term due to the impacts of climate change, while 2.4 billion workers globally are now at high risk of extreme heat

During today’s International Labour Day celebrations, informal workers who toil under high temperatures share their concerns with Kiripost. They report experiencing symptoms associated with heat exhaustion, including dizziness, headaches and excessive sweating due to prolonged exposure to outdoor conditions.

…, Cambodia experienced extreme heat, with Phnom Penh recording temperatures of an all-time high, peaking at 41C ahead of Khmer New Year. Although 2025’s dry season is expected to be less intense than in 2024, when the average temperature ranged from 34C to 37C across the country, particularly in Phnom Penh…

Most informal workers, including vendors, drivers and construction workers, are active between 6am and 5pm, but face the brunt of the heat between noon and 4pm. Many expressed growing anxiety about how climate change and rising temperatures are endangering their health and livelihoods.

… In response to the heatwave, informal workers seek a shaded spot to take shelter…

To resist the extreme heat, Vat said, “I take a towel soaked in water and cover it over my head to cool down.”…

Despite facing heatwaves, Phalla continues to work under the scorching sun to make a daily living. Like other informal workers, he is a local migrant worker who earns roughly 30,000 to 40,000 riel a day and is responsible for supporting three children.

An International Labour Organisation report in 2024 revealed that 2.4 billion workers globally are now at high risk of extreme heat. This results in 22.85 million non-fatal injuries and 18,970 deaths annually…