By Ma Ma - Mar 12, 2025
The Ministry of Labour’s Factories and Labour Law Inspection Department under the military council has issued a directive urging employers to ensure that workplace temperatures do not exceed 40 degrees Celsius as the hot summer season approaches,.
The statement noted that in April 2024, the highest recorded outdoor temperature reached 48.2 degrees Celsius, and meteorologists predict that temperatures in 2025 could be even higher than in previous years.
As a result, factory and workplace employees may experience not only the effects of external heat but also the additional heat generated from machinery and the collective presence of workers.
"Excessive heat can lead to reduced concentration, increased workplace injuries, dehydration, muscle cramps, occupational illnesses, heatstroke, loss of consciousness, and even fatalities. It can also decrease productivity, lower work engagement, and increase the risk of fires and explosions," the directive stated.
According to the 1951 Factories Act, Section 15, every workplace must ensure adequate ventilation, maintain a comfortable working temperature, and implement appropriate measures to protect workers’ health and well-being.
Additionally, Section 18 stipulates that workplaces must prevent overcrowding to avoid health risks, while Section 20 mandates the provision of cool drinking water during the summer.
“It becomes unbearable when the weather gets hotter. Since we do physically demanding work all day, we dread the arrival of summer. There isn’t enough drinking water, and workers aren’t allowed to bring their own bottles in many factories. Some even get reprimanded for drinking water too frequently. In poorly ventilated workplaces, workers sometimes faint from the heat," said a factory worker in Yangon.
Weather observer U Win Naing reported that maximum temperatures in Yangon Region, Ayeyarwady Region, Bago Region, Mon State, Karen State, and northern Tanintharyi Region could rise to around 40 degrees Celsius between March 10 and 14.
Employers have been advised to install rooftop water-spraying systems, ensure an adequate supply of drinking water, and distribute oral rehydration salts based on public health department guidelines or medical recommendations to mitigate heat levels in workplaces. A total of 12 specific measures for employers to follow have been issued.
