In July, the fig harvesting season begins in the Hyerpur area of Sindh province, Pakistan. During this time, temperatures reach 40–45 degrees Celsius. Despite the intense heat, thousands of workers are engaged in harvesting figs. To avoid the effects of the heat, workers start their work before sunrise and take breaks in the middle of the day when temperatures rise, making the labor even more arduous.
Hyerpur is one of the major fig production centers in the country, as over half of the nation's figs are grown there. A large number of farmers and seasonal workers depend on fig cultivation. To harvest the fruit, workers have to climb high trees, after which the figs are detached and prepared for further sale or use. In some places, the figs are boiled, forcing workers to endure not only the external heat but also the heat from hot water and steam, which further complicates the process.
Sindh is one of the regions in Pakistan where very high temperatures are observed. In July, temperatures often exceed 40 degrees here, and on some days they approach 45 degrees Celsius. Since the fig harvesting season is time-limited, workers cannot completely stop working because their income depends on timely harvesting. Pakistan is among the countries affected by climate change, where phenomena such as increased heat, heatwaves, irregular rainfall, and floods have recently been observed, negatively impacting agriculture and farmers.
Although Pakistan's share in global greenhouse gas emissions is less than 1 percent, the country suffers greatly from the consequences of climate change. Rising temperatures create additional difficulties for agricultural workers. The catastrophic flooding in Pakistan in 2022 affected about a third of the country's territory, leaving millions homeless. The Sindh province was also affected by the floods, causing damage to agricultural lands.
The increase in temperature exacerbates difficulties in agricultural work. Workers involved in fig harvesting are forced to work in conditions of extremely high temperatures, which increases the risk of heat-related problems during work. Weather changes affect not only temperature; changes in rainfall schedules and prolonged heat can also impact agriculture, affecting the incomes of both farmers and seasonal workers.
The work of fig workers from Hyerpur serves as an example of this problem caused by rising heat. Starting work early in the morning and taking regular breaks have become part of their work schedule. Under conditions of rising temperatures, it is crucial to ensure safe working conditions for these workers.
