Hyderabad: This year’s summer, which the Indian Meteorological Department has already said is likely not only to be hot but severe in several parts of the country, has prompted discussions not just on protecting the vulnerable from heat stress-related health emergencies but also to explore ways to protect the income of daily-wage earners, who typically constitute the most who are affected due to extreme heat conditions.At a recent meeting of global climate advisers on heat and cooling, organised by the Natural Resources Defence Council in New Delhi, a proposal to examine possible heatwave wage loss insurance to daily wage workers, who are mostly employed on a contract or a daily basis, and who stand to lose income during heatwave days, was discussed.The idea was that when the IMD declares a heat wave, such workers should be given the day off, but their daily wages should be protected with heat insurance or an adverse weather cover. “The issue needs discussion and acceptance but this is something that should be seriously considered. The premia, which will not be much, can be paid either by the employers or the government, but if this becomes a reality, it will make a huge impact,” Arvind Kumar, disaster management special chief secretary, who was among the participants at the April 12 meeting on heat and cooling, said.
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