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Malaysia is suffocating under a brutal heatwave, with temperatures hitting 37 to 40 degrees Celsius, and Level 2 alerts declared in northern Peninsular Malaysia for at least three consecutive days. MetMalaysia warns that this dry, scorching weather could last until June. In the meantime, the Ministry of Health (MOH) has already reported 15 heat-related illnesses this year, including severe cases of heatstroke and exhaustion

Public health experts and MOH have rightly warned the public about the severe and long-term health impacts of this extreme heat, which disrupts cardiovascular systems and exacerbates conditions for those with pre-existing illnesses, such as kidney disease, hypertension, and cancer. Authorities have strongly advised the public to reduce unnecessary outdoor activities and limit direct exposure.

However, for millions of outdoor workers—especially those in the building and wood sectors, agriculture, and p-hailing riders—avoiding the outdoors is not an option. Their livelihoods, and their ability to put food on the table for their families, depend on it. They are the most vulnerable group to prolonged heat exposure, yet their plight remains glaringly absent from mainstream public health discussions. 

Construction sites and urban centres filled with concrete record significantly higher temperatures than the surrounding areas. Solar and thermal radiation from concrete surfaces and nearby building materials dramatically increase the heat load on workers, creating a highly dangerous working environment.
Globally, the International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that at least 2.41 billion workers are exposed to excessive heat annually, resulting in a staggering 18,970 heat-related deaths and 22.85 million occupational injuries.

We commend the initiative and efforts of the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) in publishing the 2016 Guidelines on Heat Stress Management at the Workplace. However, it remains merely advisory and lacks legal enforceability. In other words, compliance remains voluntary and leaves workers unprotected.

The Building and Woodworkers International – Malaysia Liaison Council (BWI-MLC) urges the government to unequivocally recognise extreme heat as a deadly occupational health hazard under the law. The government must mandate work stoppages when temperature risks reach critically high levels. The Philippines presents a good precedent: the Department of Labour and Employment issued a legally enforceable Labour Advisory mandating safety measures, adjusting work-rest cycles, and assessing worker vulnerability to extreme heat to prevent heat stress.

Workers must not be penalised with wage reductions due to lost working hours when work is suspended for their safety. Similarly, construction contractors should not face financial penalties for delays caused by extreme heat stoppages. South Korea’s laws successfully mandate time extensions without delay damages to protect both contractors and workers.

There is an urgent need for the government to table a comprehensive National Heat Action Plan. This plan must provide clear, enforceable directives for employers to guarantee a safe workplace. It must enshrine basic protections, including:

• Mandatory monitoring of the Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index to assess accurate heat risks.
• Provision of an adequate supply of free, cool drinking water.
• Access to shaded rest areas and mandated rest breaks.
• Provision of appropriate and cooling Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) against extreme heat.
• Adjustment of working hours to avoid peak heat periods.
• Regular health screenings for workers, especially those facing high heat exposure.

As extreme heat becomes an emerging climate change threat to Malaysians, this crisis demands a coordinated, cross-ministerial response from the Ministries of Human Resources, Health, Natural Resources, and Environmental Sustainability.

BWI-MLC urges the government to ensure active worker representation in all consultations regarding extreme heat policy formulation. We know the realities on the ground, and our voices are essential in drafting life-saving climate adaptations. And we stand ready to contribute to safeguarding our workforce.

STOP WORK when it’s too hot! PROTECTION from heat stress! COMPENSATION for work stoppages!

Issued by:

Building and Woodworkers’ International – Malaysia Liaison Council (BWI-MLC):
Sabah Timber Industry Employees Union (STIEU)
Kesatuan Pekerja-pekerja Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Selangor (KPPPKNS)
Malay Forestry Officers Union (MFOU)
Union of Forestry Employees Sarawak (UFES)
Timber Employees Union Peninsular Malaysia (TEUPM)