Fashion / News Brief
Extreme heat in India frays fashion supply chains, study finds
Scorching temperatures are causing higher employee absenteeism and productivity losses of up to 10% for garment manufacturers in India during peak summer, according to a new study.
Rising temperatures in India are disrupting garment manufacturing, a key node in global fashion supply chains. A recent study found that extreme heat during the summer months is driving employee absences and cutting productivity by as much as 10%.
The findings highlight a growing challenge for major fashion brands that source from India, which is one of the world's largest apparel exporters. The study underscores the vulnerability of labour-intensive production to climate change.
Manufacturers are struggling to maintain output as workers fall ill or stay home to avoid heat stress. The productivity loss compounds other cost pressures in the industry, from raw material prices to logistics.
The study's authors call for investments in cooling technologies, shift adjustments, and better workplace protections to mitigate the impact. Without such measures, the heat could worsen supply chain disruptions for fashion companies reliant on Indian factories.