THE ADVERSE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON FOOD SECURITY AND ECONOMIC STABILITY: ADAPTING LEGAL FRAMEWORKS TO ADDRESS CLIMATE-INDUCED FOOD INSECURITY IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

It has been noticed during the COVID-19 lockdown that the labor community was greatly affected due to the lack of employment opportunities. Presently, if labor is not available due to climatic changes or workers cannot work due to the intensity of heat, it could pose a problem. As we have seen this year, many crops were damaged due to the heat wave, resulting in decrease in production and resultantly in employment opportunities for daily workers. It is evident from the statistics that people aged 21-36 are most affected by unemployment which constitute majority of the Pakistani population. At present, there is a scheme running in Pakistan for workers and poor families, under which Rs. 15,000 per family is provided four times a year. This relief amount was also given during the COVID-19 pandemic but was highly insufficient. Therefore, there is a need to amend labor policies as well as the Compensation Acts of the state by allocating certain hours at the beginning and end of the day when the temperature is lowest and workers can work. Or it could be that indoor work is done during the summers and outdoor work during moderate weather. Alternatively, during the summers, outdoor work hours could be reduced appropriately. This article attempts to analyze the impact of climatic changes on workers in Pakistan. Its purpose is to understand the current situation of workers and find alternative solutions vis-a-vis climatic changes.