In anticipation of a potential heatwave during the summer of 2025, the Odisha government has decided to revise the working hours for labourers to minimize their exposure to extreme heat.
The move aims to safeguard workers from sunstroke and heat-related illnesses as temperatures in many districts are expected to exceed 40°C.
In a directive to all Revenue Divisional Commissioners and Collectors, the Principal Secretary of the Labour & ESI Department emphasized the need for adjusted work schedules.
“The temperature in the upcoming summer season is likely to soar above 40°C in several districts, increasing the risk of sunstroke, especially among labourers working under direct sunlight,” the letter stated.
To address this concern, the government has mandated that physically strenuous work should be avoided between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM from April 2025 to June 15, 2025.
Key Measures to Combat Heatwave Risks:
Revised Work Schedules: All government departments, private employers, and contractors have been advised to reschedule working hours, ensuring that no work is carried out during peak heat hours. Labour-intensive tasks should be shifted to morning and late afternoon without reducing wages.
Essential Services & Precautionary Measures: In cases where work cannot be rescheduled—such as emergency services—employers must provide drinking water, ORS packets, and shaded rest areas at worksites to protect workers.
Medical Readiness: Health authorities, including Chief District Medical Officers (CDMOs), Sub-Divisional Medical Officers (SDMOs), and doctors at primary health centers (PHCs) and dispensaries, have been directed to remain on high alert. ESI dispensaries will play a key role in treating heat-related illnesses.
Awareness Campaigns: Awareness programs will be conducted in industrial units, construction sites, and other workplaces to educate workers about the risks, symptoms, and preventive measures for heat stress.
By implementing these measures, the Odisha government aims to mitigate the impact of extreme summer temperatures on labourers while ensuring work productivity remains unaffected.
