In India, the textile and garment sector employs around 45 million people. In this trade, workers are increasingly exposed to dangerous levels of heat stress in factories which are marked by poor ventilation, awful infrastructure and high production pressures.

This report by Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, published in February 2026 documents how extreme heat is affecting garment workers and exposing major gaps in workplace protections. It is based on a survey of 115 garment workers in Tamil Nadu and Delhi-NCR, 47 in-depth interviews, discussions with home-based workers, and factory case studies to examine the intersection of heat, workplace conditions and gendered vulnerabilities.

The report can be bought here.