Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – As the mercury soared to nearly 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit), Mohammed, a 26-year-old motorcycle delivery driver, gulped down a bottle of cold water.

The Gulf kingdom’s relentless summer heat is not just uncomfortable; it can be deadly. Despite the extreme conditions, Mohammed pushes through to fill the daily blitz of food orders, a necessary grind to support his family back home in Pakistan.

“The heat is intense and the sun is deadly. I always feel tired and exhausted,” he said, requesting anonymity to avoid repercussions from authorities or his employer. “But it is a good job for me and my family.”

Sprawling Saudi Arabia, already one of the world’s hottest countries, is facing increased threats from high temperatures attributed to climate change. Experts warn that its scorching summers could become even longer and hotter as the planet warms.

The risks were starkly displayed in June, when over 1,300 people died during the annual Muslim hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, most of them unauthorized pilgrims exposed to prolonged periods outdoors.

Heat and Pressure

To protect laborers, Saudi Arabia enforces a ban on outdoor work between noon and 3:00 pm from mid-June until mid-September under a longstanding “midday break” policy, widely adopted across the Gulf.

However, Mohammed and other drivers, many of whom use motorcycles and are thus directly exposed to the heat, feel pressured to work during these peak hours to meet delivery targets.

“The work is very hard, but I have no other choice,” Mohammed said, his long-sleeve rash guard soaked with sweat.

Saudi officials did not respond to requests for comment on the working conditions of delivery drivers.

Rising Demand for Motorcycle Drivers

In recent years, the meteoric rise of food delivery apps, especially popular in the Gulf, has increased demand for motorcycle drivers, many of whom are South Asian migrants. These apps have transformed the delivery industry, which previously relied mostly on small, air-conditioned cars.

Mohammed, who arrived in Riyadh four months ago, joined a food delivery company that provides him with a motorcycle, housing, and one hot meal a day.

He works from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, seven days a week, earning just over $666 a month, including tips. Despite the grueling conditions, he is able to send $533 back home each month.

“My family is in a much better situation now,” he said, though the toll of extreme heat on his body is evident.

“Working in Saudi Arabia’s scorching midday sun poses severe health risks to delivery workers,” said Karim Elgendy, a senior non-resident scholar at the Middle East Institute in Washington. “Their bodies can overheat dangerously, leading to potentially life-threatening conditions like heat stroke.”

The Struggle for Relief

Workers in Arab states face some of the highest exposure to heat stress in the world, with 83.6 percent experiencing excessive heat exposure on the job, according to the International Labour Organization. In Saudi Arabia, many delivery drivers seek temporary relief in air-conditioned bus stops or restaurants.

Hassan, a 20-year-old Pakistani driver, keeps two bottles of yogurt and a water flask in his bike’s box to stay hydrated. However, “inaccurate locations and waiting in the sun for customers to arrive” make his job even more arduous.

“There is no time to rest,” he said, catching his breath outside a luxury eyewear shop in central Riyadh before speeding off to collect another order.

Shakil, a 22-year-old Bangladeshi driver, echoed Hassan’s sentiments. “The sun is very strong, but I cannot miss work during the day,” he said after delivering a lunch order at 2:00 pm, earning a $2 tip. “I will lose a lot.”

Looking Ahead

As climate change continues to impact Saudi Arabia, the plight of delivery drivers highlights the urgent need for better working conditions and protections.

While policies like the “midday break” offer some respite, the pressures of the gig economy and the rising demand for rapid delivery services often undermine these measures.

Without significant changes, the health risks for workers like Mohammed, Hassan, and Shakil will only grow, underscoring the human cost of convenience in an increasingly sweltering world.