Heat Takes Toll on Delivery Drivers’ Health
In Phnom Penh’s Koh Pich satellite city, Keo Oudong was waiting for orders alongside colleagues under a mango tree. Photo: Thun Senghong
- By Thun Senghong
- May 2, 2024 12:05 PM
PHNOM PENH – Food delivery drivers are complaining about the health risks they face in the scorching weather.
In Phnom Penh’s Koh Pich satellite city, Keo Oudong was waiting for orders alongside colleagues under a mango tree. He said he chose this job because he had no other way to support his family.
“When the weather is extremely hot, after delivering, I must find a shady place to shelter immediately,” he said.
“Sometimes I must wait up to thirty minutes or an hour waiting for buyers under dry air and the heat to earn money to support my family.”
Workers who spend their workdays outside, like motorbike drivers who deliver food or tuk tuk driver in Phnom Penh’s congested streets, are among the most severely affected as the heatwave continues.
“My self-protection is to cover my face to protect myself from the heat and wear a helmet and gloves,” Oudong said.
“However, the heat still comes through my body, making it difficult for me to resist”.
Many countries in Southeast and South Asia are experiencing extreme heatwaves. In Thailand, it was hot for several days in a row and the temperature soared to more than 44 degrees. Bangladesh is hot to the point of emergency. The Philippines has decided to close schools and allow students to study online.
In Myanmar, which is facing civil war, many people have to endure the heat without a fan or air conditioner. In the north of Vietnam, which used to be cooler, temperatures have passed 43 degrees.
Cambodian meteorological authorities have warned people to be extra vigilant.
“Temperatures this year are higher than last year and up to more than 40 degrees,” Oudong said. “The hottest time is from 10am to 3pm.”.
Oudong has been delivering for Grab for three years. He has found it hard to get a new job because the socio-economic situation is down. He was unable to do hard work because he broke his leg in a traffic accident.
He can earn at most $25 a day but has to work from morning to night. On average, he gets $10-15.
“For me, I have just received $5 until this afternoon,” he said.
“Some days, I delivered too much until I get a fever, headache and extreme exhaustion.”
Another shipper, Chea Navin from E-GetS company, also complained about the difficulties delivering in hot weather. However, when the weather is very hot, there are more orders which earn him more.
“Most of the time, from 11am to 1pm, buyers order more food. Later in the afternoon, they order energy drinks,” the 22-year-old said.
“During hot weather, customers order more and I could earn an average of $10 per day.”
Sitting under tree near a Brown Coffee shop in Boeng Trabaek commune, another E-GetS driver Ret Vuthy said that extremely hot weather affected his health but like other deliverymen, he can withstand it because of his livelihood.
Accuweather forecasters say the capital can expect temperatures in the high 30s until the weekend and mid-30s to high 30s until May 8.
