From the Philippines to Mali, countries fail to count deaths from extreme heat

Food delivery driver John Jay Chan has had no protections from the record-breaking heat waves that have hit the Philippines in recent months, but he must continue to work nine-hour days to provide for his family.

"We understand that the nature of our work means we're exposed to extreme heat," said Chan, a 30-year-old father of two, who has been a motorbike gig worker for six years.

Some of Chan's colleagues have experienced mild heatstroke or elevated blood pressure while working in temperatures that have exceeded 45 degrees Celsius.

"But until now, we haven't been monitored by the government for heat-related illnesses or deaths, so the lack of data means we're not a priority," said Chan.

From the Philippines to India and Mali, a lack of reliable data on heat-related deaths is undermining efforts to mitigate the risk of extreme heat and provide better protection for the most vulnerable, like outdoor migrant and gig workers.

Globally, 2.41 billion workers, or 70% of the world's workforce, are exposed to excessive heat, with people in Africa, Arab states and the Asia and Pacific region facing the highest exposure, according to a July report by the International Labour Organization (ILO). This causes nearly 19,000 deaths a year, the ILO said.