Bengaluru: Whether it’s scorching heat or sudden rains, thousands of daily wage workers in Bengaluru continue their toil, striving to earn a living. From construction laborers to street vendors and food delivery personnel, a vast section of the city’s informal workforce struggles to survive under extreme weather conditions without basic facilities.
With summer setting in, Bengaluru is witnessing rising temperatures, touching up to 36°C. The city’s weather has become increasingly erratic with brief showers followed by intense heat, which has made life particularly harsh for workers exposed to the elements for hours on end. Prolonged exposure is also raising serious health concerns among the labor force.
As per data, Bengaluru has over 35,000 street vendors and more than 18,000 civic workers. Across Karnataka, over 2.5 million people work in construction, quarries, housekeeping, and food delivery services. Yet, few of them have access to protective gear or amenities like shade, water, or restrooms during working hours.
Construction workers, quarry laborers, and sanitation staff begin work as early as 6 a.m. and often continue into the afternoon or evening, mostly under direct sunlight. With no shelter at the worksite, these workers are forced to labor in the blazing heat, leading to dehydration, sunburns, and respiratory issues due to dust and pollution.
Street vendors, many of whom are elderly, women, or widows, also suffer from a lack of basic amenities. “In areas like Vijayanagar and around NIMHANS, there are no proper toilets or drinking water facilities, especially around crowded bus stops. Women vendors are the worst affected,” said Babu, president of the Bengaluru unit of the Karnataka Progressive Street Vendors’ Association.
Leelavathi, General Secretary of the Karnataka Construction and Other Workers’ Union, pointed out that of the over one lakh construction workers in the city, only about 10% are women. “Due to the heat and lack of facilities, many are quitting the job. Women workers, especially during menstruation, suffer in silence due to the lack of toilets or private rest areas,” she said.
She emphasized the need to regulate work hours during peak summer, especially for workers migrating from North Karnataka regions like Bidar, Raichur, and Kalaburagi. “The government must instruct contractors and the Labor Welfare Board to adjust work timings to early mornings or evenings for health reasons,” she added.
Health experts and the State Disaster Management Authority have issued guidelines advising workers to stay hydrated and avoid peak sun exposure. Appanna, state president of AICCTU, urged the government to take immediate measures such as:
Declaring half-day work schedules once a week
Ensuring uninterrupted wages for sanitation workers
Providing clean drinking water, buttermilk, or ORS at work sites
Distributing umbrellas, hats, and essential protective equipment
Ensuring workers are covered under health and life insurance schemes
“Women laborers often faint from heat and exhaustion. In areas like Vaynalikaval, they are being made to work beyond standard hours. The government must act and direct contractors to reschedule working hours to mornings or evenings,” said Leelavathi, adding that a formal memorandum will be submitted to Labor Minister Santosh Lad.
Ramesh, a mason from Gedalahalli, shared his plight: “I earn ₹1200 per day as a male worker, while women get ₹500. We work from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Some of us wear caps to beat the sun, but it’s still extremely difficult. A break after lunch helps, but the heat is unbearable.”
As Bengaluru continues to heat up, the voices of the city’s invisible workforce are growing louder, demanding dignity, safety, and a humane working environment.
