I've gotten used to reading the news and I'm thinking Google algorithm is catching on with the fact that I'm interested in what's happening to workers across the globe
From the famous website The Guardian, I read this tragic story
It was a sad and tragic death of a lady named Montse Aguilar, she's a 51 year old street cleaner living in Barcelona.
She died of heatstroke while working during a heatwave. The question I'm asking myself is why a lady at tha age is to work in such a climatic condition and nobody's doing anything about it. Obviously she had no choice because the system is no work no money and no money no surviving.
she was wearing a uniform made of polyester that was far too hot for the extreme temperature of over 35°C.
From what I read and you could go to the site to get all the details, she had sent a message to a friend during her shift, saying she felt like she was going to die and was experiencing chest pains, cramps and pain in her arms and neck. Obvious signals that if she continues in that situation, the worst could eventually happen.
But despite telling her manager how bad she felt not much was done for her, talk about how a worker's health is not regarded by the bosses.
She returned home, collapsed and could not be revived even after the paramedics tried to do so. Perfect example of prevention is better than cure or in this case, some bosses just don't care.
This story is just one of way too many incidents that proves the point workers around the world are trying to make. A kot of working conditions are unsafe and how do you expect an almost old lady to work during extreme heat.
Even in some countries like Spain that obviously has better heat regulations than other countries, there are still situations that can cost the lives of workers if they're still forced to work in those conditions.
The laws regarding working conditions are too weak and doesn't always cover situations like this so blaming the politicians is not exactly me overthinking or overreacting.
Take the UK for instance, they have recommendations for minimum temperatures inside workplaces, but there is no maximum temperature rule, and outdoor workers are not fully protected.
The UK sets minimum indoor temperatures 16°C or 13°C for physical work but maybe I may be ignorant but I haven't seen any legal maximum temperature and outdoor workers have limited protection, relying mostly on general health and safety guidance.
If there is a maximum then I stand to be corrected but this women's death shows there wasn't any in Barcelona and if there was it obviously wasn't enforced. He death could have been avoided.
From the article I've learned that it's not just a problem in Spain or the UK. In South Korea, construction workers struggle in 35°C heat, feeling like every day they could die. Honestly this needs more attention than many things governments are spending billions on, like war. What spend money on war when you could be thinking about regulations that'll save a poor woman from dying of heatstroke.
In India, delivery workers have already protested against unsafe heat conditions and sometimes face consequences from their companies. At this point, you complain about something and the company makes it even worse for you.
It's a global mess, people ae being forced to risk heir lives because governments and companies do not take enough action, they'd rather have social media beef and live shows, to showcase how powerful they are.
It's clear that the entire political system usually ignores human limits, they do so because they know we need the money and they control the money system so they could get away with such actions. The hesitate to make strict rules that'll really help the workforce but if it was anything tha could go against the government, they would not waste a second making laws as quickly as they can.
It should be clear, no ambiguity, rules around maximum workplace temperatures, flexible working hours and avoiding the hottest part of the day.
At least remember the human for Christ sake
Funny thing is the employers still expect workers to endure unsafe conditions and work harder and many people are left vulnerable. My heart goes out especially to older workers who are more sensitive to heat. Younger ones are suffering too.
Work system globally is messed up and attention needs to be drawn this situation.
